Psoas minor muscle

Psoas minor muscle
Muscles of the iliac and anterior femoral regions. (Psoas minor visible near top right.)
Latin m. psoas minor
Gray's subject #127 467
Origin Side of T12+L1 and IV Disc between
Insertion    Pectineal line and iliopectineal eminence
Artery
Nerve Lumbar plexus[1]
Actions Weak trunk flexor
Antagonist Gluteus maximus
MeSH Psoas+Muscles

The psoas minor is a long, slender skeletal muscle which, when present, is located in front of the psoas major muscle. This muscle does not exist in about half the human population [2], or, according to some authors [3], in the 40% of the population.

Contents

Actions

The psoas minor is a weak flexor of the lumbar vertebral column.

Course

Psoas minor originates from the vertical fascicles inserted on the last thoracic and first lumbar vertebrae. From there, it passes down onto the medial border of the psoas major, and is inserted to the innominate line and the iliopectineal eminence. Additionally, it attaches to and stretches the deep surface of the iliac fascia and, occasionally, its lowermost fibers reach the inguinal ligament.[4] Variations occur, however, and the insertion on the iliopubic eminence sometimes radiates into the iliopectineal arch.[1]

Additional images

Notes

  1. ^ a b Platzer (2004), p 234
  2. ^ Tank (2005), p 93
  3. ^ Gray (2008), p 1372
  4. ^ Bendavid (2001), p 58

References

External links