psoas

[ soh-uhs ]

noun

, Anatomy.

, plural pso·ai [soh, -ahy], pso·ae [soh, -ee].

1. either of two muscles, one on each side of the loin, extending internally from the sides of the spinal column to the upper end of the femur, which assist in flexing and rotating the thigh and flexing the trunk on the pelvis.

psoas

/ ˈsəʊəs /

noun

1. either of two muscles of the loins that aid in flexing and rotating the thigh

Other Words From

• pso·at·ic [soh-, at, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of psoas¹

1675–85; < New Latin < Greek psóās, accusative plural (taken as nominative singular) of psóa a muscle of the loins

Word History and Origins

Origin of psoas¹

C17: from New Latin, from Greek psoai (pl)

Example Sentences

If the subjacent iliac and psoas muscles be implicated, the thigh is flexed upon the leg in decubitus.

From Project Gutenberg

This boy died before he was 20, with a psoas abscess, and I remember crying myself to sleep the night I learned of his death.

From Project Gutenberg

Hyperæsthesia developed in more than one case in which injury to the psoas had led to hæmorrhage into the muscle sheath.

From Project Gutenberg

Blood-staining of psoas sheath; no injury to vertebral column or to bowel detected.

From Project Gutenberg

In one pound weight of the psoas muscles Fleming counted no less than 300 Cysticerci.

From Project Gutenberg