The psoas minor is a long, slender skeletal muscle that, when present, is placed in front of the psoas major muscle. It is absent in 40% of individuals.

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 reaches the inguinal ligament. Variations occur, however, and the insertion on the iliopubic eminence sometimes radiates into the iliopectineal arch.

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Notes

References

• Bendavid, Robert; Abrahamson, Jack; Arregui, Maurice E. (2001). Abdominal Wall Hernias: Principle and Management. Springer.
• Platzer, Werner (2004). Color Atlas of Human Anatomy, Vol 1: Locomotor system. 5th, Thieme. (ISBN for the Americas 1-58890-159-9.)
• Tank, Patrick W. (2005). Grant's Dissector. 13th ed., Hagerstown, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

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