Students Find Unknown Muscle Attachment in Pelvis
Two Tulane University sophomores identified a previously undocumented attachment on the psoas major, published in the journal Clinical Anatomy.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Social Sciences
Tulane University sophomores Dominic Roy and Cooper Bruce identified a previously undocumented muscle attachment in the human pelvis during a cadaver dissection in 2024. Their findings were published in the journal Clinical Anatomy.
Why it matters
The structure had no prior description in anatomical literature or textbooks, adding to the basic understanding of pelvic anatomy. Researchers say it could eventually help doctors better understand hip pain and conditions such as snapping hip syndrome.
The attachment was identified in 28% of the sides studied across 200 additional donated specimens, with no prior description in anatomical literature or textbooks. The clinical significance for patients remains unestablished pending further research.
The players
Tulane University
A private research university in New Orleans whose anatomy lab and School of Medicine were the site of the discovery.
R Shane Tubbs
A neurosurgery professor and director of surgical anatomy at Tulane School of Medicine who assisted the students in identifying the structure.
The details
Roy and Bruce, both 19-year-old sophomores, made the discovery during a cadaver dissection in Tulane University's anatomy lab, where Roy was dissecting the iliacus and psoas major muscles. Unable to identify the structure, Roy sought help from Dr. R Shane Tubbs, a neurosurgery professor and director of surgical anatomy at Tulane School of Medicine; the structure is called the iliac attachment of the psoas major.
Timeline
2024: Students identify the muscle attachment during cadaver dissection.
After the discovery: Researchers examine 200 additional donated specimens.
After the discovery: Roy applies to Tulane's Master of Science in Anatomy program.
Big Picture
The discovery adds to Tulane School of Medicine's surgical anatomy work, which relies on cadaver dissection to document structures absent from standard textbooks. Its significance for hip pain and snapping hip syndrome will depend on whether later studies establish clinical relevance.
The finding does not yet change how patients are diagnosed or treated for hip pain. Future research will determine whether the attachment matters clinically for conditions such as snapping hip syndrome.
The takeaway
Anatomy textbooks can still omit structures, and careful dissection by students can surface them. Whether the attachment changes clinical practice will depend on further study.
Further reading
For related coverage of research on human anatomy, see Social Sciences.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Economic Times.
