Psoas Minor

Original Editor - Oyemi Sillo

Lead Editors - Kim Jackson, Eman Ammar, Lucinda hampton, Oyemi Sillo and WikiSysop  

Description[edit | edit source]

Psoas Minor is a thin paired muscle of the posterior abdominopelvic region, placed in front of the Psoas major.[1] The psoas minor muscle origininates from the last thoracic vertebra and the first lumbar; it is present in 60% to 65% of the population. Distally, it converges with the iliacus fascia and the psoas major tendon to insert on the iliopectineal eminence (for 90% of the population).

The major and minor psoas muscles and the iliacus muscle make up the iliopsoas musculotendinous unit. Commonly called iliopsoas muscle. This complex muscle system can function as a unit or intervene as separate muscles. It is essential for correct standing or sitting lumbar posture, hip joint, and during walking and running[2].

Image 1: R Psoas Minor - Highlighted in red

Anatomy[edit | edit source]

  • Origin: Lateral aspect of vertebral body of 12th thoracic and 1st lumbar vertebrae[3]
  • Insertion: Pectineal line of pubis[3]
  • Nerve Supply: Small branch from the initial part of the lumbar ventral ramus(L1)[3]
  • Blood Supply: Lumbar arteries, lumbar branch of the iliolumbar artery.[3]

Action[edit | edit source]

Assists with flexion of the lumbar vertebral column [3]

Physiotherapy[edit | edit source]

Baseball.jpeg

Athletic injuries to the hip flexors (including psaos minor) have been described in populations across all levels of competitive sports. Estimates of hip flexor pathology ranges from 5% of injuries all the way to 28% of injuries among high-risk sport-specific groups. Although most of these injuries are successfully treated with conservative management, and high rates of return to play are observed, significant rehabilitation time can be involved. Poor posture, general overuse, and sometimes arthritis can also cause pain in the hip flexors.[4]

Image 2: Baseball is a sport in which hip flexor injuries can occur.

See

References[edit | edit source]

  1. Gray, Henry. Anatomy of the Human Body. Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger, 1918; Bartleby.com, 2000. www.bartleby.com/107/.
  2. Bordoni B, Varacallo M. Anatomy, Bony Pelvis and Lower Limb, Iliopsoas Muscle. StatPearls [Internet]. 2021 Jul 21. Available:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK531508/ (accessed 16.1.2022)
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 http://www.anatomyexpert.com/app/structure/5312/
  4. Physiopedia Hip Flexors Available:Hip Flexors (accessed 16.1.2022)

[1]

  1. Anderson CN. Iliopsoas: pathology, diagnosis, and treatment. Clinics in sports medicine 2016;35(3):419-33. Micheo W. Musculoskeletal, Sports and Occupational Medicine. Demos Medical Publishing; 2010 Dec 21.