Morphology of Psoas Minor Muscle - Reviewed

Abstract

Psoas minor (PM) muscle belongs to the category of vestigial muscles. It is large in size in all those quadrupeds that brachiate and leap or run at very fast speed. None of these functions being required in bipedal, plantigrade man the muscle has receded during evolution; hence it is present only in 40-60% population. Apart from racial variations, a large number of morphological variations of this muscle have been described in the literature. The present study has been conducted in 20 cadavers. Psoas minor muscle was present bilaterally in 35% cases and unilaterally in 5% cases; overall incidence being 40%. Average length of fleshy belly was 7.85 cm that of tendon was 13.13 cm. Average maximum width of fleshy belly was 1.93 cm, and that of the tendon was 0.77cm.

Reappraisal of the morphological and morphometric study of the psoas minor muscle with clinical and developmental insights: cadaveric study

“…In cats, the muscle is active when the back is arched [9]. Although it has declined and is now only a remnant in humans, its presence remains crucial in maintaining posture and hip flexion in athletes [1,3]. The cumulative incidence of PMi varies depending on the race and ethnicity of the study population [22] and when present, it tends to shows several variations in morphology and morphometry.…”

Trochanteric Attachment of Psoas Minor Muscle in 52 Years Old Female Cadaver in Alkharj, Saudi Arabia

“…The presence of PMM is also vital in some professions such as sports, and it might get injured during certain activities. 6 In some sports, inguinal pain arises from the strained thin tendon of PMM, which results from hyperextension of the hip joint, where both feet off the ground tense the muscle-tendon. In such cases, if the pain is spread to the abdominal wall and perineum, it would be a cause of psoas minor syndrome.…”

“…2 The extant literature did not offer a clear view of PMM distal attachment variations. 5,6 The sports medicine field reports accounts of the muscle's clinical significance. 6 The previous studies revealed some morphological and racial variations.…”

“…5,6 The sports medicine field reports accounts of the muscle's clinical significance. 6 The previous studies revealed some morphological and racial variations. 7 The main objective of this report was to shed light on this relatively obscure muscle and its extremely rare insertion site variation to promote well comprehension of its clinical importance for embryologists, radiologists and surgeons.…”