GENERAL INFORMATION
The pectineus is a small, short muscle located in the anterior compartment of the thigh. It is part of the hip adductor muscle group and plays a role in hip flexion, adduction, and medial rotation. The pectineus muscle works in coordination with other muscles to stabilise the hip joint and also assist in various movements.
ORIGIN
The pectineus muscle originates from the pectineal line of the pubis, which is a bony ridge on the superior pubic ramus.
INSERTION POINT
The pectineus muscle inserts on the posterior aspect of the lesser trochanter of the femur, which is a bony prominence located on the medial side of the femur.
MAJOR ARTERIES
The pectineus muscle receives its blood supply from branches of the medial femoral circumflex artery and the obturator artery.
NEURAL INNERVATION
The pectineus muscle is innervated by the femoral nerve, which arises from the lumbar plexus. The femoral nerve provides motor innervation to the pectineus muscle, controlling its contraction, and also carries sensory information from the region.
TRIGGER POINT
Trigger points may develop in the pectineus muscle, causing localised pain and discomfort. These points can be triggered by muscle overuse, poor posture, or muscle imbalances.
CONCENTRIC FUNCTION
The pectineus muscle functions concentrically to perform hip adduction, bringing the leg toward the midline of the body. It also assists in hip flexion and medial rotation.
ECCENTRIC FUNCTION
The pectineus muscle functions eccentrically to control hip abduction, where the leg moves away from the midline. It also assists in hip extension and lateral rotation.
ISOMETRIC FUNCTION
The pectineus muscle can contract isometrically to provide stability and support during static positions or when the hip joint needs to resist forces acting on it.
RELATED MUSCLE-SCIENTIFIC NAMES
- Adductor longus (Musculus adductor longus): Assists in hip adduction and flexion.
- Adductor brevis (Musculus adductor brevis): Plays a role in hip adduction.
- Adductor magnus (Musculus adductor magnus): Involved in hip adduction and extension.
- Gracilis (Musculus gracilis): Participates in hip adduction and knee flexion.
ANTAGONIST
The primary antagonist of the pectineus muscle is the gluteus maximus muscle. The coordinated action of the pectineus muscle and the gluteus maximus allows for balanced and controlled movements of the hip joint.
COMMON INJURIES
- Strains or tears: These injuries can occur due to sudden movements, overstretching, or repetitive stress.
- Tendinitis: Inflammation of the tendons, often caused by overuse.
- Adductor muscle injuries: These are common in athletes involved in activities requiring quick changes in direction or kicking motions.
EXERCISES
Exercises that target the pectineus muscle include
- Seated adductor machine exercises: Use a seated adductor machine to perform hip adduction exercises, focusing on contracting the pectineus muscle.
- Lunges with adduction: Perform lunges while consciously squeezing the legs together during the movement to engage the pectineus muscle.
- Side-lying leg lifts with adduction: Lie on your side and lift the top leg while simultaneously bringing it across the midline of the body.
- Standing hip adduction: Use resistance bands to perform standing hip adduction exercises.
- Cable hip adduction: Use a cable machine to perform hip adduction exercises.
STRETCHES
Stretches for the pectineus muscle include
- Adductor stretch: Sit on the floor with your legs spread apart in a straddle position, lean forward, and reach toward one foot while keeping the other leg extended.
- Seated butterfly stretch: Sit on the floor with the soles of your feet together, hold onto your ankles, and gently press your knees down with your elbows to stretch the inner thighs.
- Standing adductor stretch: Stand with legs wide apart and lean to one side, stretching the inner thigh of the opposite leg.
- Frog stretch: Kneel on the floor with knees wide apart and feet together, then lower your hips toward the floor to stretch the adductors.
- Side lunges: Step to the side and bend the knee of the leading leg, keeping the trailing leg straight to stretch the inner thigh.