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Case report
Submitted: 2024-01-14
Accepted: 2024-03-11
Published online: 2024-04-25
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An unusual occurrence of a four-headed psoas major: a case report

Marta Pośnik1, Nicol Zielinska1, Konrad Kurtys1, Krzysztof Koptas1, Łukasz Olewnik1
Affiliations
  1. Department of Anatomical Dissection and Donation, Medical University of Lodz, Łódź, Poland

open access

Ahead of Print
CASE REPORTS
Submitted: 2024-01-14
Accepted: 2024-03-11
Published online: 2024-04-25

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 four 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 four 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.

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 four 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 four 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.

Get Citation

Keywords

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

About this article
Title

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

Journal

Folia Morphologica

Issue

Ahead of Print

Article type

Case report

Published online

2024-04-25

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8

Article views/downloads

8

Keywords

accessory heads
iliopsoas muscle complex
morphological variability
psoas major

Authors

Marta Pośnik
Nicol Zielinska
Konrad Kurtys
Krzysztof Koptas
Łukasz Olewnik

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