psoas

[soh-uhs]

noun

Anatomy.

plural

psoai, psoae 

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 Word Forms

• psoatic 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)