Contents
Anatomy
General information
- This section is strictly limited to anatomy, you might be looking for clinical relevant information which is found under the clinical chapters -- muscles section, click here to go to that page
- The muscle unites distally with the psoas to become the iliopsoas
Position
- Deep
Origin
- Fossa iliaca
- Upper 2/3
- Spina iliaca anterior superior (SIAS)
- Sacral ala
Insertion
- Trochanter minor femur
Main function
- Hip
- Flexion
- Lateral rotation
- Pelvis
- Anterior tilt
Secondary function
- Pelvis
- Contralateral rotation
Nerve innervation
- Segmental
- L1-L4
- Peripheral
- Femoral nerve
Arterial supply
- Iliolumbar artery
- Obturator artery
Palpation
- Patient position
- Supine
- Note! Most of the iliacus muscle is too deep for palpation
- Place a pillow under the patient's knees, so that the patient is lying with some flexion of the hips. Also place the leg in somewhat lateral rotation
- Place your hands on the ventral part of illium and palpate in towards fossa iliaca with your fingers
- Ask the patient to flex the hip and feel for the contraction in the muscle
- Note! The femoral nerve, artery and vein are just above the iliopsoas (psoas major and iliacus) and pectineus in the area towards the insertion, so be careful when palpating in this area
Strength test
- Patient position
- Supine
- Position the patient so that he/she is lying with light flexion, abduction and lateral rotation of the hip
- Give resistance towards the anteromedial part of the lower tibia in a direction of extension and light abduction, so that the patient is giving force towards flexion and adduction (primarily in direction of flexion for the patient)
Weakness of the muscle
- Is often seen in:
- Lumbar kyphosis (bilateral weakness)
- Lumbar scoliosis (unilateral weakness)