Massage.
MuscleThighintermediateBeyond Cert IVDraft

PectineusMusculus pectineus

Short, flat muscle at the top of the inner thigh, running from the pubic bone to just below the lesser trochanter, that flexes and adducts the hip.

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LatinMusculus pectineus
Origin
  • Pectineal line (pecten) of the pubis, between the iliopubic eminence and the pubic tubercle
Insertion
  • Pectineal line of the femur, running from the lesser trochanter towards the linea aspera
Action
  • Flexes the hip
  • Adducts the hip
  • May help rotate the hip (sources disagree on direction)
NerveFemoral nerve (sometimes also the accessory obturator nerve) (L2–L3)
GroupAdductors
NameLatin pecten, 'comb' — it arises from the pectineal line (pecten) of the pubis.

Palpation

  1. Client supine with the hip slightly bent and turned out and the knee supported; drape securely and get consent first.
  2. Pectineus lies deep in the femoral triangle at the very top of the inner thigh, next to the femoral artery; it is not directly palpated in a relaxation massage.
  3. Locate adductor longus at mid-thigh and note that pectineus sits above and to the outer side of it, near the groin.
  4. Resisted hip flexion with adduction makes the area firm, but confirming it by touch is a remedial skill.

Pectineus is the highest and most forward of the Adductors. It forms part of the floor of the femoral triangle, between Iliopsoas on its outer side and Adductor longus on its inner side. The femoral artery, vein and nerve lie directly on top of it, which is why direct work here is left to remedial therapists.

It is unusual among the adductors because it is supplied mainly by the femoral nerve (the nerve of the front thigh), with an extra branch from the accessory obturator nerve in some people. Sources disagree about its rotation: Wikipedia’s summary box says external (lateral) rotation, while the article’s function section says internal (medial) rotation. Its root levels are given as L2–L3 in the muscle article and L2–L4 in the adductor group table.

Draping and client comfort. This muscle lies right beside the groin. It is not part of a Cert IV relaxation routine. If you work the inner thigh, explain first, get clear verbal consent, keep the drape securely tucked, never work under the drape, and stay well below the groin crease. See Draping and room set-up.

Techniques

  • Compression — Pressing straight down into a muscle with the palm, fist or forearm, holding briefly, then releasing and moving on.
  • Positional release — A gentle, indirect method where a tender point is monitored with a fingertip while the body part is moved into a comfortable, shortened position that eases the tenderness, held for about 90 seconds.

Works with

  • Iliopsoas — Deep hip flexor made of psoas major and iliacus, running from the lumbar spine and inside of the pelvis to the lesser trochanter of the femur, and the strongest flexor of the hip.
  • Adductor longus — Flat, fan-shaped inner-thigh muscle from the front of the pubic bone to the middle of the femur that pulls the thigh inwards and helps flex the hip.
  • Adductor brevis — Short, triangular inner-thigh muscle lying under pectineus and adductor longus that pulls the thigh inwards and helps flex the hip.
  • Rectus femoris — Spindle-shaped muscle down the middle of the front of the thigh, the only quadriceps muscle that crosses the hip, so it both flexes the hip and straightens the knee.

Opposes

  • Gluteus maximus — The largest and most superficial buttock muscle, and the main extensor of the hip.
  • Gluteus medius — Thick, fan-shaped muscle on the outer side of the pelvis that abducts the hip and keeps the pelvis level when you stand on one leg.

Same group

  • Adductor brevis — Short, triangular inner-thigh muscle lying under pectineus and adductor longus that pulls the thigh inwards and helps flex the hip.
  • Adductor longus — Flat, fan-shaped inner-thigh muscle from the front of the pubic bone to the middle of the femur that pulls the thigh inwards and helps flex the hip.
  • Adductor magnus — Large, triangular inner-thigh muscle with an adductor part and a hamstring part, which pulls the thigh inwards and helps extend the hip.
  • Gracilis — Long, thin strap muscle running down the inner edge of the thigh from the pubic bone to the upper inner tibia, which pulls the thigh inwards and helps bend the knee.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia: Pectineus muscle
  2. Wikipedia: Adductor muscles of the hip
  3. Wikipedia: Femoral nerve