Iliacus muscle

The iliacus is a flat, triangular muscle which fills the iliac fossa. It forms the lateral portion of iliopsoas, providing flexion of the thigh and lower limb at the acetabulofemoral joint.

Iliacus muscle
Position of iliacus muscle (shown in red.)
The iliacus and nearby muscles
Details
Pronunciation/ɪˈlaɪ.əkəs/
Originupper two-third of the iliac fossa
Insertionbase of the lesser trochanter of femur
Arterymedial femoral circumflex artery, iliac branch of iliolumbar artery
Nervefemoral nerve
Actionsflexes and rotates medially thigh
AntagonistGluteus maximus
Identifiers
Latinmusculus iliacus
TAA04.7.02.003
FMA22310
Anatomical terms of muscle

Structure

The iliacus arises from the iliac fossa on the interior side of the hip bone, and also from the region of the anterior inferior iliac spine (AIIS). It joins the psoas major to form the Iliopsoas, as which it proceeds across the iliopubic eminence through the muscular lacuna to its insertion on the lesser trochanter of the femur. Its fibers are often inserted in front of those of the psoas major and extend distally over the lesser trochanter. [1]

Nerve supply

The iliopsoas is innervated by the femoral nerve and direct branches from the lumbar plexus.[2]

Function

In open-chain exercises, as part of the iliopsoas, the iliacus is important for lifting (flexing) the femur forward (e.g. front scale). In closed-chain exercises, the iliopsoas bends the trunk forward and can lift the trunk from a lying posture (e.g. sit-ups, back scale) because the psoas major crosses several vertebral joints and the sacroiliac joint. From its origin in the lesser pelvis the iliacus acts exclusively on the hip joint.[1]

Additional images
  • Position of iliacus muscle (shown in red.) Animation.
  • Right hip bone. Internal surface. (Iliac fossa visible at upper left.)

Notes
  1. Platzer (2004), p 234
  2. Thieme Atlas of Anatomy (2006), p 422
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References
  • Platzer, Werner (2004). Color Atlas of Human Anatomy, Vol. 1: Locomotor System (5th ed.). Thieme. ISBN 3-13-533305-1.
  • Thieme Atlas of Anatomy: General Anatomy and Musculoskeletal System. Thieme. 2006. ISBN 1-58890-419-9.
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