Advanced Iliopsoas Quiz

Q1. Why can a psoas hematoma or abscess affect lumbar plexus function?

• The sacral plexus lies within iliacus
• The femoral artery forms within psoas major
• The lumbar plexus forms within psoas major
• The sciatic nerve forms inside the iliopsoas tendon

Q2. Why may passive hip extension reproduce pain from an inflamed iliopsoas?

• Hip extension relaxes every hip flexor completely
• Hip extension maximally shortens iliopsoas
• Hip extension lengthens the iliopsoas
• Hip extension closes the femoral canal

Q3. Why can an enlarged iliopsoas bursa produce symptoms in the groin?

• It lies near structures beneath the inguinal ligament
• It lies within the tarsal tunnel
• It lies within the popliteal fossa
• It surrounds the sciatic nerve in the posterior thigh

Q4. Why can altered psoas major tone influence lumbar posture?

• Psoas major attaches directly to the lumbar vertebrae
• Psoas major attaches only to the femur
• The iliopsoas tendon crosses the knee
• Iliacus inserts on the lumbar spinous processes

Q5. Why do iliacus and psoas major have different patterns of motor innervation despite sharing a distal tendon?

• Both are supplied exclusively by the inferior gluteal nerve
• Their common tendon creates a single motor nerve
• Both are supplied exclusively by the obturator nerve
• They remain distinct proximally and retain separate nerve supplies

Q6. What anatomical mechanism can produce internal snapping hip involving iliopsoas?

• Movement of the sciatic nerve through the obturator canal
• Movement of the Achilles tendon over the patella
• Abrupt movement of the iliopsoas tendon over anterior hip structures
• Movement of the femoral nerve over the lateral malleolus

Q7. Why is psoas major an important landmark for identifying lumbar plexus branches?

• Lumbar plexus branches emerge in characteristic relationships to psoas major
• All lumbar plexus nerves lie within the femoral sheath
• All lumbar plexus nerves emerge through the greater sciatic foramen
• Only the sciatic nerve is related to psoas major

Q8. How does iliopsoas contribute to the swing phase of gait?

• It abducts the scapula
• It plantarflexes the ankle to clear the foot
• It extends the knee throughout swing
• It flexes the hip to advance the thigh

Q9. Why may a patient with a painful psoas process hold the hip in flexion?

• Hip flexion isolates the patellar tendon
• Hip flexion maximally stretches iliopsoas
• Hip flexion shortens iliopsoas and reduces stretch
• Hip flexion blocks femoral nerve conduction

Q10. Which statement best integrates the regional anatomy and function of iliopsoas?

• It connects the lumbar spine and iliac fossa to the lesser trochanter as a major hip flexor
• It connects the sacrum to the greater trochanter as the main hip extensor
• It connects the femur to the calcaneus as the main ankle plantarflexor
• It connects the pubis to the tibia as the main knee extensor