Dance Anatomy & Kinesiology

The Pelvic Girdle and Hip Joint 173

Attachments and Primary Actions of Pectineus

Muscle Proximal attachment(s) Distal attachment(s) Primary action(s)

Pectineus

(pek-TIN-ee-us)

Superior ramus of pubis Line between lesser trochanter and the linea

aspera on the upper shaft of the femur

Hip adduction

Hip flexion

Pectineus

The pectineus (L. pectin, comb), as seen in figure 4.12, is a

short, flat muscle located just lateral to the adductor longus

and partially covered by the rectus femoris and sartorius.

Its proximal attachment is more anterior and superior than

the adductor longus or magnus, allowing it to act as a prime

mover for hip flexion and hip adduction through a larger range

of motion. Due to its combination function as a prime mover

for both flexion and adduction and its transitional location,

the pectineus is classified in some texts as part of the

anterior hip flexor group and in other texts as part of the

medial hip adductor group. Its design favors power, and it

is used when the hip is vigorously flexed or to lift the thigh

to cross it over the other thigh during sitting.

Gracilis

The gracilis (L. gracilis, slender), as seen in figure 4.12,

is a superficial, slender, and long muscle that descends

more vertically than the more oblique course of the other

medial thigh muscles. It is located the most medially of

the inner thigh muscles. In addition to its action of hip

adduction, it can contribute to the earlier arc of hip flexion

(probably primarily when the knee is extended) and hip

internal rotation. It is the only medial muscle of the hip

that crosses the knee joint. It attaches onto the medial

tibia and can also act in knee flexion and knee internal

rotation as discussed in chapter 5.

Palpation of the medial hip muscles: Sit on the floor

with the legs separated in a second-position stretch. The

adductors can be palpated as a group along the inside of

the thigh. Press one leg in isometrically against the hand

(hip horizontal adduction) of the same side while using the other hand to palpate the medial muscles.

The adductor longus and gracilis are the prominent tendons that you can feel at the top of the inner

thigh. The adductor magnus can be palpated along the inside of the middle to lower half of the thigh.

Due to its depth, the adductor brevis is difficult to palpate. You can palpate the pectineus just above

the adductor longus tendon when lifting that leg over the other as you sit in a chair.

FIGURE 4.12 The pectineus and gracilis (right

hip, anterior view).

Attachments and Primary Actions of Gracilis

Muscle Proximal attachment(s) Distal attachment(s) Primary action(s)

Gracilis

(grah-SI-lis)

Just below symphysis on pubis,

inferior rami of ischium and pubis

Medial surface of upper tibia (pes

anserinus)

Hip adduction

Hip flexion

(Knee flexion)

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