MUSCLES OF THE ANTERIOR HIP REGION

Question 1

􀁸 a muscle which occupies the iliac fossa, within the abdominal cavity
􀁸 its tendon of insertion fuses with the tendon of insertion of the psoas major as it leaves the abdominal
cavity to become the iliopsoas

Answer 1

Iliacus

Question 2

iliacus origin

Answer 2

iliac fossa

sacrum

Question 3

iliacus insertion

Answer 3

lesser trochanter/femur

Question 4

􀁸 comes from the Greek work psoae which means loin
􀁸 a large muscle that is situated along the lateral aspect of the lumbar vertebrae and like the iliacus is found
within the abdominal cavity
􀁸 as mentioned above, its tendon of insertion fuses with that of the iliacus

Answer 4

Psoas Major

Question 5

Psoas Major origin

Answer 5

bodies and transverse processes/lumbar vertebrae

Question 6

Psoas Major insertion

Answer 6

lesser trochanter/femur

Question 7

Psoas Major actions

Answer 7

Flexion of the femur at the hip joint


flexion of the vertebral column

Helps maintain posture (integrity of the vertebral column)

Question 8

Psoas Major nerve supply

Answer 8

femoral (L2,L3,L4)

Question 9

􀁸 weakness of the muscle will result in marked disability in carrying out such activities as stair climbing,
walking up inclines, getting up from a reclining position
􀁸 since the bulk of the muscles are found within the abdominal cavity, many of the organs of the abdomen
are superficial to the muscles (kidneys, parts of the lower intestinal tract, pancreas, appendix) and several
of the vertebral joints and the sacroiliac joint are found deep to the muscles; any disease or inflammation
of these structures may result in pain when the muscles are contracting

Answer 9

Clinical Notes Associated with the Psoas Major/Iliacus

Question 10

􀁸 this muscle is missing in about half of the population (unilaterally or bilaterally)
􀁸 when the muscle is present, it is a small and insignificant muscle, which lies superficial to the psoas major
9
􀁸 the muscles is often mistaker for a nerve coming off of the lumbar plexus (genitofemoral nerve)
􀁸 this muscle is well developed in mammals which are able to carry out a good deal of flexion of their
lumbar vertebrae (arching of the back as in cats)

Answer 10

Psoas Minor

Question 11

Psoas Minor origin

Answer 11

bodies/lumbar vertebrae

Question 12

Psoas Minor insertion

Answer 12

iliopubic eminence/pubis

Question 13

Psoas Minor action

Answer 13

FLexion of the pelvic bone

Question 14

Psoas Minor nerve supply

Answer 14

L1 (sometimes L2)