4. Pectineus

Origin: Superior ramus of the pubis

Insertion: Pectineal line of femur (just inferior to the lesser trochanter)

Action:

  • Adducts the thigh
  • Flexes the thigh
  • Weak internal rotator of the thigh

Innervation: Femoral nerve (L2/3), Occasionally may receive a branch from the obturator nerve

Anterior hip muscles.
Figure 4.12 Pectineus, adapted by Mikael Häggström from the original image by Beth Ohara, CC-BY-SA 3.0.
Neurovascular bundle (femoral artery, vein and nerve).
Figure 4.13 Neurovascular bundle (femoral artery, vein and nerve), by Henry Gray and Henry Vandyke Carter (Public domain).

Needling

Position: Supine

Palpation: Palpate for the femoral artery

Technique: Needle lateral from the femoral artery towards the pectineal line

Caution: High – femoral artery lies directly on top of this muscle

Needling pectineus
Figure 4.14 Needling pectineus, original image by Nadine Crocker, CC BY-NC 4.0.

Video 4.4 Needling pectineus, original video by Nadine Crocker, CC BY-NC 4.0.

License

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Sinew Channel Needling Copyright © 2026 by Nadine Crocker is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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