| Iliacus muscle | |
|---|---|
| The iliacus and nearby muscles | |
| Right hip bone. Internal surface. (Iliac fossa visible at upper left.) | |
| Latin | musculus iliacus |
| Gray's | subject #127 467 |
| Origin | iliac fossa |
| Insertion | lesser trochanter of femur |
| Artery | medial femoral circumflex artery, iliac branch of iliolumbar artery |
| Nerve | femoral nerve |
| Actions | flexes and rotates laterally thigh |
| Antagonist | Gluteus maximus |
The iliacus is a flat, triangular muscle which fills the iliac fossa.
Contents |
The iliacus arises from the iliac fossa on the interior side of the hip bone, and also from the region of the anterior inferior iliac spine (AIIS). It joins the psoas major to form the Iliopsoas as which it proceeds across the iliopubic eminence through the muscular lacuna to its insertion on the lesser trochanter of the femur. Its fibers are often inserted in front of those of the psoas major and extends distally over the lesser trochanter. [1]
In open-chain movements, as part of the iliopsoas, the iliacus is important for lifting (flexing) the leg forward. In closed-chain movements, the iliopsoas bends the trunk forward and can lift the trunk from a lying posture (i.e. sit-ups) because the psoas major crosses several vertebral joints and the sacroiliac joint. From its origin in the lesser pelvis the iliacus acts exclusively on the hip joint. [1]
The iliopsoas is innervated by the femoral nerve and direct branches from the lumbar plexus.[2]
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