What is "iliopsoas"

Iliopsoas \Il`i*o*pso"as\, n. (Anat.) The great flexor muscle of the hip joint, divisible into two parts, the iliac and great psoas, -- often regarded as distinct muscles.

n. (context anatomy English) A compound muscle composed of the iliac and psoas muscles.

The term iliopsoas (ilio-so-as) refers to the combination of the psoas major and the iliacus at their inferior ends. These muscles are distinct in the abdomen, but usually indistinguishable in the thigh. As such, they are usually given the common name "iliopsoas" and are referred to as the "dorsal hip muscles" or "inner hip muscles". The psoas minor does contribute to the iliopsoas muscle.