Posterior abdominal wall muscles (overview)
The posterior abdominal wall is supported by the 12th thoracic and all five lumbar vertebrae and intervertebral discs between them.
Three or four pairs of muscles are present in the posterior abdominal wall, depending on the individual:
- Psoas major
- Iliacus
- Quadratus lumborum
- Psoas minor
The psoas major together with the iliacus form the iliopsoas muscle.
Almost all of these muscles, except the quadratus lumborum, belong to the anterior group of the pelvic muscles.
The psoas minor is variable, being present in about 40% of the population.