Psoas Muscles (also known as Muscle, Psoas, Muscles, Psoas): A powerful flexor of the thigh at the hip joint (psoas major) and a weak flexor of the trunk and lumbar spinal column (psoas minor). Psoas is derived from the Greek psoa, the plural meaning muscles of the loin. It is a common site of infection manifesting as

NIH MeSH · D016658Anatomy

Psoas Muscles

Also known asMuscle, Psoas · Muscles, Psoas · Psoas Muscle

Definition

A powerful flexor of the thigh at the hip joint (psoas major) and a weak flexor of the trunk and lumbar spinal column (psoas minor). Psoas is derived from the Greek psoa, the plural meaning muscles of the loin. It is a common site of infection manifesting as abscess (PSOAS ABSCESS). The psoas muscles and their fibers are also used frequently in experiments in muscle physiology.

MeSH classification

  • A02.633.567.825

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Related concepts

Abdominal Muscles

Muscles forming the ABDOMINAL WALL including RECTUS ABDOMINIS; ABDOMINAL OBLIQUE MUSCLES, transversus abdominis, pyramidalis muscles and qua…

Abdominal Oblique Muscles

Muscles of the anterolateral abdominal wall consisting of the external oblique and the internal oblique muscles. The external abdominal obli…

Back Muscles

Musculature of the BACK.

Common questions about Psoas Muscles

What does Psoas Muscles mean in medicine?
A powerful flexor of the thigh at the hip joint (psoas major) and a weak flexor of the trunk and lumbar spinal column (psoas minor). Psoas is derived from the Greek psoa, the plural meaning muscles of the loin. It is a common site of infection manifesting as abscess (PSOAS ABSCESS). The psoas muscles and their fibers are also used frequently in experiments in muscle physiology. This definition is taken from the National Library of Medicine's MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) 2026 release, which is the standard vocabulary used to index PubMed and most medical literature.
Is Psoas Muscles known by any other names?
Yes. Psoas Muscles is also referred to as Muscle, Psoas, Muscles, Psoas, Psoas Muscle in different clinical, research and patient-facing contexts. The MeSH descriptor groups all of these synonyms under a single canonical concept so research and records stay consistent.
Where does Psoas Muscles sit in the medical classification?
Psoas Muscles falls under the broader medical category "Anatomy" in the MeSH hierarchy (tree numbers: A02.633.567.825). Browsing the related concepts on this page takes you to neighbouring topics in the same branch of medicine.
Where can I get a plain-language explanation of Psoas Muscles?
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Source: NIH MeSH 2026 (D016658) — National Library of Medicine, public domain. View official MeSH record ↗