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Pectineus Muscle

Pectineus Muscle

Author: Scott A. Sheffield MS

Last update: Oct 13th, 2022

The pectineus muscle is a quadrangular located at the anterior upper and inner aspect of the thigh.

Pectineus Muscle (Musculus pectineus)

The anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column. The visible labelled muscles include Psoas Major, Iliacus, Tensor Fasciae Latae, Pectineus (highlighted in green), Rectus Femoris, Vastus Lateralis, Sartorius, Adductor Longus and Gracilis.

The anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column. The visible labelled muscles include Tensor Fasciae Latae, Pectineus (highlighted in green), Adductor Longus, Vastus Lateralis, Vastus Medialis, Gracilis.

The anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column. The visible labelled muscles include Pectineus (highlighted in green), Adductor Brevis, Adductor Magnus and Gracilis.

The anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column. The only visible labelled muscle is Pectineus.

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Attachments of Pectineus muscle

Origin (proximal) attachment:
a. Pectineal line along superior ramus of pubis.

Insertion (distal) attachment:
a. Posterior surface of femur, inferior to the lesser trochanter.

The anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column. The visible labelled muscles include Psoas Major, Iliacus, Tensor Fasciae Latae, Pectineus (highlighted in green), Rectus Femoris, Vastus Lateralis, Sartorius, Adductor Longus and Gracilis.

The anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column. The only visible labelled muscle is Pectineus.

The anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column showing the origin of Pectineus at the pectineal line along superior ramus of pubis.

The posterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column showing the insertion of Pectineus at the posterior surface of femur, inferior to the lesser trochanter.

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Actions of Pectineus on the thigh (femur):

a. Adducts the thigh at the hip.

Learn the muscles of the lower limb faster and more efficiently with these 3D anatomy videos.

Slide 1 of the animation showing adduction of the thigh.

Slide 2 of the animation showing adduction of the thigh.

Slide 3 of the animation showing adduction of the thigh.

Slide 4 of the animation showing adduction of the thigh.

Slide 5 of the animation showing adduction of the thigh.

b. Flexes the thigh at the hip.

Slide 1 of the animation showing flexion of the thigh.

Slide 2 of the animation showing flexion of the thigh.

Slide 3 of the animation showing flexion of the thigh.

Slide 4 of the animation showing flexion of the thigh.

Slide 5 of the animation showing flexion of the thigh.

Nerve to muscle and its spinal segment:

Femoral nerve (L2-L4).

An Overview of the Anterior Muscles of the Thigh

A quiz image of the anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column. The muscles of the anterior thigh are numbered 1 to 9 and the answers are concealed.

A quiz image of the anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column. The muscles of the anterior thigh are numbered 1 to 9. The answers revealed at the bottom are as follows 1. Psoas Major 2. Iliacus 3. Tensor Fasciae Latae 4. Pectineus 5. Adductor Longus 6. Rectus Femoris 7. Vastus Lateralis 8. Sartorius 9. Gracilis.

A quiz image of the anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column. The muscles of the anterior thigh are numbered 1 to 8. The answers revealed at the bottom are as follows 1. Psoas Major 2. Tensor Fasciae Latae 3. Pectineus 4. Adductor Longus 5. Rectus Femoris 6. Vastus Lateralis 7. Sartorius 8. Gracilis.

A quiz image of the anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column. The muscles of the anterior thigh are numbered 1 to . The answers revealed at the bottom are as follows 1. Tensor Fasciae Latae 2. Pectineus 3. Adductor Longus 4. Rectus Femoris 5. Vastus Lateralis 6. Sartorius 7. Gracilis.

A quiz image of the anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column. The muscles of the anterior thigh are numbered 1 to 6. The answers revealed at the bottom are as follows 1. Tensor Fasciae Latae 2. Pectineus 3. Adductor Longus 4. Rectus Femoris 5. Vastus Lateralis 6. Gracilis.

A quiz image of the anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column. The muscles of the anterior thigh are numbered 1 to 6. The answers revealed at the bottom are as follows 1. Tensor Fasciae Latae 2. Pectineus 3. Adductor Longus 4. Vastus Lateralis 5. Vastus Medialis 6. Gracilis.

A quiz image of the anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column. The muscles of the anterior thigh are numbered 1 to 5. The answers revealed at the bottom are as follows 1. Pectineus 2. Adductor Longus 3. Vastus Lateralis 4. Vastus Medialis 5. Gracilis.

A quiz image of the anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column. The muscles of the anterior thigh are numbered 1 to 5. The answers revealed at the bottom are as follows 1. Pectineus 2. Adductor Longus 3. Vastus Intermedius 4. Vastus Medialis 5. Gracilis.

A quiz image of the anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column. The muscles of the anterior thigh are numbered 1 to 4. The answers revealed at the bottom are as follows 1. Pectineus 2. Adductor Longus 3. Vastus Intermedius 4. Gracilis.

A quiz image of the anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column. The muscles of the anterior thigh are numbered 1 to 3. The answers revealed at the bottom are as follows 1. Pectineus 2. Adductor Longus 3. Gracilis.

A quiz image of the anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column. The muscles of the anterior thigh are numbered 1 to 3. The answers revealed at the bottom are as follows 1. Pectineus 2. Adductor Brevis 3. Gracilis.

A quiz image of the anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column. The muscles of the anterior thigh are numbered 1 to 3. The answers revealed at the bottom are as follows 1. Pectineus 2. Adductor Magnus 3. Gracilis.

A quiz image of the anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column. The muscles of the anterior thigh are numbered 1 to 2. The answers revealed at the bottom are as follows 1. Pectineus 2. Adductor Magnus.

A quiz image of the anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column. The only muscle labelled 1 is Pectineus.

A quiz image of the anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column showing the origin of Pectineus at the pectineal line along superior ramus of pubis and the insertion of Pectineus at the posterior surface of femur, inferior to the lesser trochanter.

Test yourself while observing the Pectineus muscle

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