Psoas Minor Muscle

Authors

Affiliations

Nate Yomogida, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.S. in Kinesiology

Chloë Kerstein, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.A. in Neuroscience

Muscles of the Iliac and Anterior femoral regions¹

Figure 1: Muscles of the Abdomen²

Reading list

• Psoas major, psoas minor, iliacus muscles³
• Neuman⁴
• MMT⁵

Muscle	Origin	Insertion	Innervation	Action
Psoas Minor	T12, L1 vertebrae (lateral aspect) and IVD	Pectineal Line Iliopubic ramus Iliac fascia Inguinal ligament	Spinal nn. L1 - L3	Trunk: Weak flexion

Origin

T12, L1 vertebrae and intervertebral disk (lateral surfaces)⁶

Insertion

Pectineal line, iliopubic ramus, iliac fascia; lowermost fibers may reach inguinal lig.⁶

Innervation

L1–L2 (L3) spinal nn.⁶

Action

Weak flexor of the trunk⁶

Overview

Found in only 50% of the population⁶

“The psoas minor, present in approximately 50% of the population, is often found on the superficial surface of the psoas major (see Fig. 31.19). It is not a muscle of the lower limb. It originates, inserts, and exerts its action on the abdomen”⁶

Stretches

• 3D hip flexor stretch

References

1.

Gray H. Anatomy of the Human Body. 20th ed. (Lewis WH, ed.). Lea & Febiger; 1918. https://www.bartleby.com/107/

2.

Betts JG, Blaker W. Anatomy and Physiology. 2nd ed. OpenStax; 2022. https://openstax.org/details/books/anatomy-and-physiology-2e/?Book%20details

3.

Donnelly JM, Simons DG, eds. Travell, Simons & Simons’ Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual. Third edition. Wolters Kluwer Health; 2019.

4.

Neumann DA, Kelly ER, Kiefer CL, Martens K, Grosz CM. Kinesiology of the Musculoskeletal System: Foundations for Rehabilitation. 3rd ed. Elsevier; 2017.

5.

Weinstock D. NeuroKinetic Therapy: An Innovative Approach to Manual Muscle Testing. North Atlantic Books; 2010.

6.

Gilroy AM, MacPherson BR, Wikenheiser JC, Voll MM, Wesker K, Schünke M, eds. Atlas of Anatomy. 4th ed. Thieme; 2020.