Musculus pectineus
The pectineus is a small muscle on the medial thigh. It originates from the prepubic tendon and cranial border of the pubis and inserts on the medial surface of the proximal femur. Its actions are to adduct the hindlimb and flex the hip. It is innervated by the obturator nerve (roughly L4-L5). It lies in the femoral triangle, an important landmark for palpating the femoral artery pulse.
Origin: Prepubic tendon and cranial border of the pubis
Insertion: Medial surface of the proximal femur
Action: Adducts the hindlimb; flexes the hip
Innervation: Obturator nerve (L4-L5)
Isolated injury is uncommon. Relevant mainly as an anatomical landmark for femoral pulse assessment and in evaluations of medial thigh trauma.
## Overview Swelling in the femoral triangle (groin region) can result from hematoma, seroma, abscess, lymphadenopathy, or soft-tissue injury. It produces visible enlargement, heat, pain, and hind-li
Sudden hindlimb weakness or swelling in the medial thigh after trauma should be evaluated.
## Overview Swelling in the femoral triangle (groin region) can result from hematoma, seroma, abscess, lymphadenopathy, or soft-tissue injury. It produces visible enlargement, heat, pain, and hind-limb lameness or reluctance to move the limb freely. ## Causes Trauma, injection-site reaction, infection, or vascular injury. ## Diagnosis Palpation, ultrasound, and aspiration if fluid is present. Bloodwork if systemic illness is suspected. ## Treatment Depends on cause: rest and anti-inflammatories for hematoma; drainage and antibiotics for abscess; surgical exploration for severe cases. ## Recovery and Prognosis Generally good once the underlying cause is addressed. ## Prevention Careful injection technique and trauma avoidance. Signs include: swelling in the groin; hind-limb lameness; heat and pain; reluctance to abduct or extend the limb
Isolated injury is uncommon. Relevant mainly as an anatomical landmark for femoral pulse assessment and in evaluations of medial thigh trauma.
Sudden hindlimb weakness or swelling in the medial thigh after trauma should be evaluated.
See the Pectineus on our interactive 3D horse model. Open 3D Model