Muscles / Hips
Iliopsoas
- Hips
- Hip & gluteal
- Deep layer
Also called hip flexor.
Anatomy
- Origin
- Psoas major: T12-L5 vertebral bodies, discs and transverse processes; iliacus: iliac fossa and sacral ala
- Insertion
- Lesser trochanter of the femur
- Nerve
- Psoas major: anterior rami of L1-L3; iliacus: femoral nerve (L2-L3) (L1-L3)
Actions
- Main flexor of the hip
- Stabilises the hip joint
- Flexes the trunk on the thigh (sit-up phase)
Exercises that train it most
Resisted hip flexion (standing march)
Straight leg raise
Half-kneeling hip-flexor stretch with pelvic tilt
Also trained by
Parts
Notes
- Tightness is assessed with the Thomas test.
References (6)
- Andersson E, Oddsson L, Grundström H, Thorstensson A. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 1995;5(1):10-16. The role of the psoas and iliacus muscles for stability and movement of the lumbar spine, pelvis and hip
- Winters MV, Blake CG, Trost JS, et al. Phys Ther. 2004;84(9):800-807. Passive versus active stretching of hip flexor muscles in subjects with limited hip extension: a randomized clinical trial
- Standring S, ed. Elsevier. Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. 42nd ed.
- Dalley AF, Agur AMR. Wolters Kluwer. Moore's Clinically Oriented Anatomy. 9th ed.
- Neumann DA. Elsevier. Kinesiology of the Musculoskeletal System: Foundations for Rehabilitation. 3rd ed.
- Betts JG, Young KA, Wise JA, et al. OpenStax (free, openly licensed textbook). Anatomy and Physiology 2e