Origin
Sacrum, iliac fossa, vertebrae L1-L5 and T12 intervertebral discs.
Insertion
Femur
Blood supply
Medial femoral circumflex artery, iliolumbar artery.
Nerve supply
Femoral nerve; L1, L2 nerves
Action
The iliopsoas plays an essential role in standing, walking, and running.
Disease/Injury
Iliopsoas muscles should be stretched regularly, especially in old age, as its dysfunction may cause pelvic tilt and lumbar lordosis and weakness of both limbs.
Muscle Exercise
To strengthen iliopsoas muscle you can perform leg raises. Lie on your back and raise your right leg up until it is at 90 degrees to your trunk. Hold and bring it down slowly, but do not touch the floor. A few inches above the floor, raise the leg again. Do 15 repetitions and repeat the same with the other leg.
Interesting facts
Iliopsoas is also called as the dancer’s muscle, as it is an essential muscle to dance smoothly with coordination.
