A cadaveric study on the morphology of psoas minor and psoas accessorius muscles

Abstract

In the human body, one of the most variable muscle groups is the psoas muscle group. The psoas muscle group is composed of long fusiform muscles – major, minor and accessorius, and out of these the psoas major muscle is present in all individuals. Reporting the gross anatomic detail of the psoas minor and psoas accessories muscles is the main aim of our study. 25 formalin preserved and embalmed cadavers were available for our study. We took the different in-situ measurements with the help of a digital vernier caliper. We found psoas minor muscle on the right side in 5 (20%) cadavers and on the left side in 4 (16%) cadavers. While in 3 cadavers (12%), psoas minor was present bilaterally. So out of 25 cadavers, psoas minor muscle was observed in 12 (48%). Psoas accessorius was present in just 1 cadaver (4%). This psoas minor and psoas accessorius muscle has both evolutionary as well as clinical significance and importance. The morphology of this muscle is very important for anatomists, surgeons, kinesiologists and physiotherapists from its clinical point of view.