Logan Steele
The psoas muscle is a long muscle located on either side of the vertebral column and the brim of the pelvis. It plays a crucial role in maintaining posture and enabling walking. The psoas major muscle joins the iliacus muscle to form the iliopsoas, which attaches to the lesser trochanter of the femur. The iliopsoas is the strongest flexor of the hip joint and is involved in hip flexion, adduction, and external rotation. Sitting for long periods can cause the psoas muscle to tighten, leading to lower back pain and difficulty maintaining an upright posture.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Origin | The deep segment of the psoas muscle originates from the first four lumbar vertebrae. The superficial segment originates along the lateral surface of the distal thoracic vertebrae and from adjacent intervertebral discs. |
| Insertion | The psoas muscle combines with the iliacus muscle to form the iliopsoas muscle, which attaches to the lesser trochanter of the femur. |
| Innervation | The psoas major is innervated by the anterior rami of the lumbar spinal nerves, mainly L1 and L2, with some contributions from L3 and L4. |
| Blood Supply | The psoas major receives blood from the iliolumbar branch of the internal iliac artery, with contributions from the lumbar, obturator, external iliac, and femoral arteries. |
| Function | The psoas major helps to create the curve of the lumbar spine, pulling the vertebrae forward and down. It also plays a role in walking and maintaining posture. |
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What You'll Learn
The psoas muscle's role in posture and walking
The psoas muscle is a long, ribbon-shaped muscle that runs from the lower back to the hips and groin. There is one psoas muscle on either side of the spine, and they help the body maintain its posture and move the legs and hips. The psoas muscle has a deep and a superficial segment. The deeper segment of the muscle originates from the first four lumbar vertebrae, while the superficial segment originates along the lateral surface of the distal thoracic vertebrae and from adjacent intervertebral discs.
The psoas muscle is essential for maintaining a healthy spine position and healthy posture. It attaches to the vertebrae on the lumbar spine and then crosses the outer edge of each pubis (near the pelvis). It then joins with the iliacus muscle at the inguinal ligament (in the groin region) and finally attaches to the femur. Together, the iliacus and psoas muscles are known as the iliopsoas muscle.
The psoas muscle helps to stabilise the lumbar spine when sitting and stabilises the femoral head within the acetabulum of the hip during the first 15 degrees of movement. It also assists with lateral motions (unilateral side contraction) and bilateral motions (both right and left psoas major contractions). An example of a bilateral motion is trunk elevation when transitioning from a supine to sitting or standing position.
The psoas muscle can be susceptible to injury, with psoas syndrome referring to a collection of symptoms resulting from damage to the psoas major. Lower back pain is the most common symptom, but pain may also present in surrounding areas such as the lumbosacral region, groin, and thigh. This may cause walking difficulties, with pain sometimes radiating down the legs or worsening when standing up straight. Treatment for psoas syndrome includes rest, physical therapy, osteopathic manipulative treatment, and cortisone shots. Specific stretches and posture changes can also help target the psoas muscle.
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The muscle's attachment to the lumbar spine
The psoas muscle is a long muscle located in the lateral lumbar region between the vertebral column and the brim of the lesser pelvis. It is among the most significant muscles that overlie the vertebral column. The psoas muscle has a deep and superficial segment. The deeper segment of the muscle originates from the first four lumbar vertebrae, while the superficial segment originates along the lateral surface of the distal thoracic vertebrae and from adjacent intervertebral discs.
The psoas muscle plays an important role in helping us walk and maintain a healthy posture. It attaches to the vertebrae on the lumbar spine, crosses the outer edge of each pubis, and then joins with the iliacus muscle at the inguinal ligament in the groin region. The iliopsoas muscle is formed by the combination of the psoas and iliacus muscles. This muscle runs across the iliopubic eminence through the muscular lacuna to its insertion on the lesser trochanter of the femur.
The psoas muscle helps create the curve of the lower spine by pulling the lumbar vertebrae forward and down. This curve is essential for bearing and transferring weight, allowing us to stand and walk upright. When walking, the psoas muscle moves the back leg forward, facilitating the alternation between the front and back legs. The psoas muscle also acts as a hip flexor, hip adductor, and hip external rotator.
Tightness in the psoas muscle can result in lower back pain and spasms by compressing the lumbar discs. This tightness can be caused by excessive periods of sitting. To prevent or treat psoas muscle tightness, specific stretches can be performed, such as the one described by Spine Health, which involves dropping the left knee while extending the left leg and maintaining good posture.
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The iliopsoas muscle
The psoas major originates from the transverse processes of lumbar vertebrae L1–L5. The superficial segment of the psoas major originates from the lateral surfaces of the last thoracic vertebra, lumbar vertebrae L1–L4, and the neighbouring intervertebral discs. The deeper segment of the muscle originates from the first four lumbar vertebrae. The iliacus muscle originates from the upper two-thirds of the iliac fossa, the iliac crest, and the lateral aspect of the sacrum.
The fibres of the psoas major extend inferolaterally through the lesser pelvis towards the thigh. The lateral-most fibres of the psoas major fuse with the fibres of the iliacus muscle to form the iliopsoas muscle. The iliopsoas passes deep to the inguinal ligament and anterior to the joint capsule of the hip to insert onto the lesser trochanter of the femur.
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The muscle's attachment to the femur
The psoas muscle is a long muscle located in the lateral lumbar region between the vertebral column and the brim of the lesser pelvis. It is among the most significant muscles that overlie the vertebral column. The psoas major joins the upper body and the lower body, the axial to the appendicular skeleton, the inside to the outside, and the back to the front.
The psoas muscle has two segments, one on each side of the body, which assist with lateral motions (unilateral side contraction) or with bilateral motions (both right and left psoas major contractions). The deeper segment of the muscle originates from the first four lumbar vertebrae, while the superficial segment originates along the lateral surface of the distal thoracic vertebrae and from adjacent intervertebral discs. The lumbar plexus lies between the two layers.
The psoas major combines with the iliacus muscle, a triangular-shaped muscle that occupies the internal iliac fossa, to form the iliopsoas muscle. The iliopsoas muscle is surrounded by the dense iliac fascia. The iliopsoas tendon lies deep to the fascia lata, sartorius, rectus femoris and deep femoral artery.
The iliopsoas muscle attaches to the femur at the lesser trochanter, located on the posteromedial aspect of the femur. This attachment causes lateral rotation and weak adduction of the hip. The iliopsoas bursa separates the tendon from the bone surface and the proximal portion of the femur.
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The muscle's innervation
The psoas muscle is a long muscle located on either side of the vertebral column. At its distal end, it combines with the iliacus muscle to form the iliopsoas muscle. The psoas muscle has two segments: deep and superficial. The deeper segment of the muscle originates from the first four lumbar vertebrae, while the superficial segment originates along the lateral surface of the distal thoracic vertebrae and from adjacent intervertebral discs.
The psoas muscle is innervated by branches of the lumbar plexus, specifically the anterior rami of spinal nerves L1-L4. The lumbar plexus is embedded within the psoas major muscle and its branches emerge from its lateral border. The psoas muscle also receives small branches from the femoral nerve.
The muscle receives vascular supply from several arteries, including the four lumbar arteries from the aorta, small branches of the renal arteries, muscular branches of the common iliac artery, and the deep circumflex iliac artery. The blood supply to the psoas muscle is primarily provided by the iliolumbar branch of the internal iliac artery, with contributions from the lumbar branches of the aorta, the obturator branch of the internal iliac artery, and branches of the external iliac and femoral arteries.
The psoas muscle plays a crucial role in both static and dynamic functions. It acts as a hip flexor, hip adductor, and hip external rotator. When in a sitting position, it stabilizes the lumbar spine and the femoral head within the acetabulum of the hip during initial movements. The psoas muscle also assists with lateral and bilateral motions, such as trunk elevation when transitioning from a supine to a sitting or standing position.
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Frequently asked questions
The psoas muscle attaches to the vertebrae on the lumbar spine.
After crossing the pelvic brim, the psoas muscle attaches to the iliacus muscle, forming the iliopsoas muscle.
The iliopsoas muscle attaches to the lesser trochanter of the femur.
The psoas muscle is involved in walking and maintaining posture. It also helps create the curve of the lower spine by pulling the lumbar vertebrae forward and down.
