
The obliques are the muscles that are known as the waist muscles. There are three flat abdominal oblique muscles of the lateral anterior abdomen. The external oblique is the largest and outermost of these three. The superior and inferior obliques are also crucial for ocular movement. The superior oblique is both muscular and tendinous, while the inferior oblique is almost entirely muscular.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of oblique muscles | 3 |
| Type of muscle | Abdominal external oblique muscle |
| Location | Lateral and anterior parts of the abdomen |
| Shape | Broad, thin, and irregularly quadrilateral |
| Size | Large |
| Visibility | Not visible in most humans |
| Origin | Eight fleshy digitations from the external surfaces and inferior borders of the lower eight ribs |
| Function | Control bending, twisting, and side-bending of the torso |
| Connection | Connects the ribs, top of the hip bone, fascia of the abdominals, and lower back |
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What You'll Learn
- The abdominal external oblique muscle is the largest and outermost of the three flat abdominal muscles
- The obliques are the muscles known as the waist muscles
- The superior and inferior obliques work together to move the eyes in various directions
- The inferior oblique is the shortest of all the eye muscles
- The external obliques can be injured by activities such as rowing, raking leaves, chronic coughing, and lifting heavy loads

The abdominal external oblique muscle is the largest and outermost of the three flat abdominal muscles
The external oblique is one of the three flat abdominal muscles. The other two are the internal oblique and the transversus abdominis. The external oblique is the largest and most outward of these three muscles. It is a broad, thin, and irregularly quadrilateral muscle. It arises from eight fleshy digitations, each from the external surfaces and inferior borders of the lower eight ribs.
The external oblique muscle is not typically visible, due to subcutaneous fat deposits and the small size of the muscle. It is responsible for controlling bending physical activities such as bending over, twisting the torso, and side bending. It also assists with breathing.
The external oblique muscles are also known as the waist muscles, as they connect the ribs, top of the hip bone, fascia of the abdominals, and lower back.
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The obliques are the muscles known as the waist muscles
The largest and outermost of the three abdominal muscles is the abdominal external oblique muscle. This muscle is broad, thin, and irregularly quadrilateral. In most humans, the oblique is not visible due to subcutaneous fat deposits and the small size of the muscle. It arises from eight fleshy digitations, each from the external surfaces and inferior borders of the lower eight ribs.
The obliques are crucial for a range of physical activities. However, they can also be a source of pain in the waist area, low abs, and pelvis. Activities such as rowing, raking leaves, chronic coughing, lifting heavy loads, and even sitting for long periods of time can cause muscle pain in the external obliques.
Understanding the function and anatomy of the oblique muscles is essential for maintaining a healthy waist and core. Strengthening and stretching these muscles can help improve stability, posture, and overall physical performance.
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The superior and inferior obliques work together to move the eyes in various directions
There are two oblique muscles: the superior oblique and the inferior oblique. These muscles work together with the four recti to move the eyes in various directions. The superior oblique is both muscular and tendinous, while the inferior oblique is almost entirely muscular. The inferior oblique is the shortest of all the eye muscles, measuring approximately 37 mm long. It is responsible for the eye's external rotation, as well as elevation and abduction. The oblique muscles are also known as the waist muscles, as they connect the ribs, top of the hip bone, fascia of the abdominals and lower back. They control bending physical activities such as bending over, twisting the torso, and side bending. They also assist with breathing.
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The inferior oblique is the shortest of all the eye muscles
The human body has several oblique muscles, including the abdominal external oblique muscle, which is the largest and outermost of the three flat abdominal muscles of the lateral anterior abdomen. The obliques are also known as the waist muscles, connecting the ribs, top of the hip bone, fascia of the abdominals, and lower back. They control bending physical activities such as bending over, twisting the torso, and side bending, and they also assist with breathing.
The inferior oblique muscle is the shortest of all the eye muscles, measuring approximately 37 mm long. Unlike other extraocular muscles (EOMs), the inferior oblique does not originate from the annulus of Zinn or the common tendinous ring. Instead, it arises from the orbital floor lateral to the nasolacrimal groove. The slender muscle runs along the inferior surface of the eye, passing between the floor of the orbit and the inferior rectus to insert on the eye's posterior inferolateral surface. The width of the inferior oblique at the insertion point can vary, averaging 9 mm. This muscle has two surfaces: the superior ocular and the inferior orbital surfaces.
The inferior oblique is primarily responsible for the eye's external rotation, with secondary and tertiary actions of elevation and abduction, respectively. It works together with the superior oblique and the four recti to move the eyes in various directions. Unlike the inferior oblique, the superior oblique is both muscular and tendinous.
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The external obliques can be injured by activities such as rowing, raking leaves, chronic coughing, and lifting heavy loads
The obliques are the muscles that are known as the waist muscles. There are two primary muscles: the external obliques and the internal obliques. These muscles work together to support the spine, assist with breathing, and enable the rotation and lateral flexion of the trunk. The external obliques are the largest and outermost of the three flat abdominal muscles of the lateral anterior abdomen. They are broad, thin, and irregularly quadrilateral, and their muscular portion occupies the side, with their aponeurosis occupying the anterior wall of the abdomen.
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Frequently asked questions
There are two oblique muscles: the superior and inferior obliques.
The obliques are responsible for controlling bending physical activities such as bending over, twisting the torso and side bending. They also assist with breathing.
The abdominal external oblique muscle is the largest and outermost of the three flat abdominal muscles of the lateral anterior abdomen.










































