MusclePosterior abdominal wall

Iliacus

Latin: M. iliacus

Location: Abdomen

View the iliacus in 3D

Origin

Iliac fossa, iliac crest and sacral ala.

Insertion

Lesser trochanter with the psoas tendon.

Action

Flexes the hip with psoas — climbing stairs, sprinting, kicking; stabilises the hip in standing.

Nerve supply

Femoral nerve (L2–L4).

Blood supply

Iliolumbar and femoral arteries.

Clinical relevance

Iliacus haematoma after hip surgery compresses the femoral nerve in the iliac fossa — hip-flexion weakness with quadriceps palsy.

Educational anatomy reference, not medical advice. About this content.