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Pectineus

Contents

Anatomy

General information

  • This section is strictly limited to anatomy, you might be looking for clinical relevant information which is found under the clinical chapters -- muscles section, click here to go to that page

Position

  • Superficial close the inferior part of iliopsoas

Origin

  • Os pubis
    • From pectus ossis pubis and continues inferiorly, laterally and posteriorly

Insertion

  • Linea pectinea femur

Main function

  • Hip
    • Adduction
    • Flexion
  • Pelvis
    • Anterior tilt

Secondary function

  • Pelvis
    • Elevation

Nerve innervation

  • Segmental
    • L2-L3
  • Peripheral
    • Femoral nerve

Arterial supply

  • Femoral artery
  • Deep femoral artery

Palpation

  • Patient position
    • Supine
  • Eventhough pectineus is superficial, it can still be difficult to distinguish from the other adductors due to it's size
  • Place your hand just lateral and proximal to adductor longus
  • The tendon of adductor longus is the most prominent and can therefore be a good starting point for palpation of the adductor group
  • Ask the patient to adduct the hip, feel for contraction in the muscle

Strength test

  • Patient position
    • Sidelying with the side being tested turned down towards the bench
  • Ask the patient to lie straight while on the side, the lowest point is being tested
  • Grab the patient's upper leg and help the patient hold it in an abducted position throughout the test
  • Ask the patient to lift the lower leg up and away from the bench so that the lower hip is adducted
  • Meanwhile, hold medially on the femur just proximal to the patient's knee joint to give resistance in direction of abduction
    • The patient gives force towards adduction
  • Note that the pelvis is not rotated or tilted anteriorly
    • Rotation will lead to more pressure on the lower fibers of gluteus maximus
    • Anterior tilt will lead to compensational activity of the hip flexors