Definition

1. Noun:
   • A muscle of the abdomen and pelvis: The psoas is either of two muscles (the psoas major and the psoas minor) located in the lower back and pelvic region. These muscles are primarily involved in flexing the hip joint and the lumbar spine (bending the trunk forward) and in rotating the thigh.

Usage

• The term "psoas" is used in medical, anatomical, fitness, and health contexts. It is almost always used with a modifier (e.g., ) or within a specific phrase (e.g., , ). It is a technical term.
• Example: "A tight psoas can contribute to lower back pain."

Examples

• Noun:
  • The psoas major is a key muscle for maintaining posture.
  • Physical therapists often assess the flexibility of the psoas.
  • Inflammation of the psoas muscle is called psoitis.

Advanced Usage

• "Psoas sign": A clinical sign of appendicitis, where pain is elicited by stretching the psoas muscle.
  • The doctor checked for a positive psoas sign.
• "Iliopsoas": This term refers to the combined unit of the psoas major and the iliacus muscle, which share a common tendon of insertion.
  • The iliopsoas is a powerful hip flexor.

Variants and Related Words

• Psoas major (n): The larger of the two psoas muscles, originating from the lumbar vertebrae and inserting on the femur.
• Psoas minor (n): A smaller, inconstant muscle that lies anterior to the psoas major. Not all individuals have this muscle.
• Iliopsoas (n): The functional muscle group comprising the psoas major and the iliacus.
• Psoitis (n): Inflammation of the psoas muscle.

Synonyms

• Hip flexor: A general term for muscles that flex the hip, which includes the psoas major as a primary component.
• Iliopsoas: While not a perfect synonym, it is often used interchangeably in common parlance to refer to the hip flexor complex that includes the psoas.

Related Phrases

• Psoas release: A therapeutic technique to relax a tight psoas muscle.
  • The massage therapist performed a psoas release.
• Psoas stretch: An exercise aimed at lengthening the psoas muscle.
  • Incorporate a psoas stretch into your cool-down routine.

Noun

1. either of two muscles of the abdomen and pelvis that flex the trunk and rotate the thigh