Psoas major muscle

Psoas major muscle
Position of psoas major (shown in red)
The psoas major and nearby muscles
Details
Origin	Transverse processes of T12-L5 and the lateral aspects of the discs between them
Insertion	In the lesser trochanter of the femur
Artery	lumbar branch of iliolumbar artery
Nerve	Lumbar plexus via anterior branches of L1-L3 nerves
Actions	Flexion in the hip joint
Antagonist	Gluteus maximus
Identifiers
Latin	Musculus psoas major
MeSH	A02.633.567.825
Dorlands /Elsevier	m_22/12550274
TA	A04.7.02.004
FMA	18060
Anatomical terms of muscle []

The psoas major (/ˈsoʊ.əs/ or /ˈsoʊ.æs/) (from Greek: ψόας - psóās : 'of the loins', genitive singular form of ψόα - psóa 'the loins') is a long muscle located on the side of the lumbar region of the vertebral column and brim of the lesser pelvis. It joins the iliacus muscle to form the iliopsoas.

The psoas major is divided into a superficial and deep part. The deep part originates from the transverse processes of lumbar vertebrae I-V. The superficial part originates from the lateral surfaces of the last thoracic vertebra, lumbar vertebrae I-IV, and from neighboring intervertebral discs. The lumbar plexus lies between the two layers.

The iliacus and psoas major form the iliopsoas, which is surrounded by the iliac fascia. The iliopsoas runs across the iliopubic eminence through the muscular lacuna to its insertion on the lesser trochanter of the femur. The iliopectineal bursa separates the tendon of the iliopsoas muscle from the external surface of the hip joint capsule at the level of the iliopubic eminence. The iliac subtendinous bursa lies between the lesser trochanter and the attachment of the iliopsoas.