Musculus iliacus
A deep hip flexor lining the ventral surface of the ilium. Works with the psoas major to form the iliopsoas complex, the primary hip flexor. Important for hindlimb protraction.
Origin: Ventral surface of the wing of the ilium (iliac fossa)
Insertion: Lesser trochanter of the femur (with psoas major)
Action: Flexes the hip joint; advances the hindlimb
Innervation: Femoral nerve and ventral branches of lumbar nerves (L3-L5)
Strain of the iliopsoas complex from steep hill work, collection, or sudden hip extension. Increasingly recognized as a cause of hindlimb lameness.
Strain of the iliopsoas complex from steep hill work, collection, or sudden hip extension. Increasingly recognized as a cause of hindlimb lameness. Signs include: Shortened hindlimb stride; reluctance to engage the hindquarters; pain on rectal or transrectal ultrasound examination of the iliopsoas; difficulty with canter departures; may appear as vague hindlimb lameness.
See the Iliacus on our interactive 3D horse model. Open 3D Model