Iliopectineal bursa

The iliopectineal bursa (iliopsoas bursa) is the largest bursa in the human body, presenting in 98% of individuals. It is situated between the iliopsoas muscle and the iliopectineal eminence of the pelvis, bordered medially by the pectineus muscle and laterally by the iliopsoas muscle. The Iliopsoas bursa lies anterior to the hip joint, with which it communicates in 15% of normal asymptomatic individuals by way of a defect between the pubofemoral and iliofemoral ligaments.

The bursa serves to reduce friction between the iliopsoas tendon and the underlying bone during hip movement.

The iliopectineal bursa is described as a cavity approximately 5 to 6 cm in height and 3 cm in width.

Note that the term iliopsoas bursa refers to different structures, varying from sources:

• For the majority of authors and sources (1), the iliopsoas bursa refers to the iliopectineal bursa.

• In the Terminologia Anatomica 2, it refers to the subtendinous bursa of iliacus muscle.