An unusual occurrence of a four-headed psoas major: a case report

Abstract

BACKGROUND: While many structures within the human body demonstrate anatomical variations, this is not typically the case for the iliopsoas muscle complex. However, the present paper describes a case of an anomalous psoas major composed of 4 different muscular heads in a 78-year-old male cadaver. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During a routine dissection of the right posterior abdominal wall, an unusual psoas major was observed, measured, and photographed. RESULTS: The psoas major was found to possess 4 muscular heads, otherwise the anatomy of the wall was normal. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of so many heads could interfere with the functions of the psoas major muscle. Therefore, this anatomical variation merits further study.

Keywords

• accessory heads
• iliopsoas muscle complex
• morphological variability
• psoas major