Origin | Transverse processes of L1-L5 vertebrae Vertebral bodies of T12-L5 vertebrae and the adjacent intervertebral discs |
Insertion | Lesser trochanter of the femur |
Action | Flexion of the hip joint (primary action) Weak assistance in lateral flexion of the trunk Weak assistance in external rotation of the femur Provides dynamic stability to the femur and the hip |
Nerve | Anterior rami of the first, second and third lumbar nerves (L1-L3) |
Artery | Lumbar branch of iliolumbar artery (primary source) Obturator artery External iliac artery Femoral artery |
Location & Overview
The psoas muscle is comprised of both the psoas major and the psoas minor (though the psoas minor muscle is sometimes absent in some individuals). The psoas major muscle is located in the lumbar region of the trunk. It is located laterally either side of the vertebral column. It also sits medially to the quadratus lumborum muscle and behind the psoas minor muscle. The psoas major and iliacus are both deep to the inguinal ligament, meaning they pass through the gap created between the inguinal ligament and the pelvis on their journey to their insertion point on the lesser trochanter of the femur. The distal end of the psoas major muscle combines together with the iliacus muscle to form a shared tendon as it connects to the lesser trochanter of the femur. The combining of these psoas muscles and the iliacus is referred to as the ‘iliopsoas muscle’, which is also sometimes also referred to as the ‘iliopsoas musculotendinous unit (IPMU)’. All these muscles work together as a strong flexor of the hip. The role of the hip flexors are to flex the hip joint, which involves lifting the upper leg towards the body[1] [2] [3] [4].
Here we can see the psoas major muscle in isolation.
Next, we can see the psoas major, psoas minor and iliacus muscle (collectively known as the iliopsoas muscle). You can also see the inguinal ligament and how the psoas major and iliacus pass behind it through the gap between the inguinal ligament and the pelvis.
Origin & Insertion
The psoas major muscle originates on the transverse processes and the lateral surfaces of the bodies of the lumbar vertebrae L1 to L5. It also connects onto the vertebral bodies of T12 to L5. The vertebral origin also connects onto the intervertebral discs between these vertebrae. The psoas major then works its way down in an inferolateral direction passing underneath the inguinal ligament to insert onto the lesser trochanter of the femur[5] [6] [7].
Marked out in red on the vertebra are the origin points of the psoas major. These origin points are on the transverse processes of L1-L5 vertebrae in addition to the vertebral bodies of T12-L5 vertebrae and the adjacent intervertebral discs.
Marked out in blue on both femurs you can see the psoas major’s insertion point which is on the lesser trochanter of the femur.
Actions
The main action of the psoas major muscle is flexion of the hip joint. The psoas major can also provide weak assistance in external rotation (i.e. lateral rotation) of the femur in the hip joint. Another action the psoas major can perform is lateral flexion of the torso. However, it is again a weak role it plays in this movement comparative to other muscles such as the internal oblique and external oblique muscles. The psoas major also achieves this lateral flexion by only flexing one side at a time (unilateral contraction). It has also been suggested in the literature that the psoas major plays a dynamic stability role helping to keep the femur in place in the acetabulum during movement. [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15].
Innervation
The psoas major muscle is innervated by the anterior rami of the first, second and third lumbar nerves (L1-L3) [16] [17].
Blood Supply
Blood is supplied to the psoas major mainly via the lumbar branch of iliolumbar artery. It also receives a blood supply from the obturator, external iliac, and femoral arteries [18] [19].
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Psoas Major Flashcards
References
↑1, ↑8, ↑16, ↑18 | Siccardi MA, Tariq MA, Valle C. Anatomy, Bony Pelvis and Lower Limb, Psoas Major. [Updated 2021 Aug 11]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK535418/ |
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↑2, ↑6, ↑12, ↑17, ↑19 | Bordoni B, Varacallo M. Anatomy, Bony Pelvis and Lower Limb, Iliopsoas Muscle. [Updated 2022 Apr 29]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK531508/ |
↑3 | Sajko S, Stuber K. Psoas Major: a case report and review of its anatomy, biomechanics, and clinical implications. J Can Chiropr Assoc. 2009;53(4):311-318 |
↑4, ↑7, ↑13 | Moore KL, Agur AMR, Dalley AF. Clinically Oriented Anatomy. 8th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincot Williams & Wilkins; 2017 |
↑5, ↑11 | Sajko S, Stuber K. Psoas Major: a case report and review of its anatomy, biomechanics, and clinical implications. J Can Chiropr Assoc. 2009;53(4):311-318. |
↑9 | Arbanas J, Klasan GS, Nikolic M, Jerkovic R, Miljanovic I, Malnar D. Fibre type composition of the human psoas major muscle with regard to the level of its origin. J Anat. 2009;215(6):636-641. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7580.2009.01155.x |
↑10 | Hirase T, Mallett J, Barter LE, Dong D, McCulloch PC, Harris JD. Is the Iliopsoas a Femoral Head Stabilizer? A Systematic Review. Arthrosc Sports Med Rehabil. 2020;2(6):e847-e853. Published 2020 Nov 17. doi:10.1016/j.asmr.2020.06.006 |
↑14 | Skyrme AD, Cahill DJ, Marsh HP, Ellis H. Psoas major and its controversial rotational action. Clin Anat. 1999;12(4):264-5. doi: 10.1002/(SICI)1098-2353(1999)12:4<264::AID-CA4>3.0.CO;2-L. PMID: 10398385. |
↑15 | Reimann R, Sodia F, Klug F. Die umstrittene Rotationswirkung ausgewählter Muskeln im Hüftgelenk [Controversial rotation function of certain muscles in the hip joint]. Ann Anat. 1996 Aug;178(4):353-9. German. PMID: 8928937. |