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The rectus abdominis muscle, commonly known as the abdominal muscle or abs, is a long, flat muscle that runs along the front of the abdomen. It is part of the anterolateral abdominal wall and is essential for supporting the trunk and holding organs in place. The rectus abdominis is enclosed in the rectus sheath, a fibrous compartment that also contains the pyramidalis muscle. During development, the rectus abdominis forms myotubes, which are elongated, multinucleated collections of myoblasts. These myotubes further develop myofilaments, myofibrils, and other structures characteristic of striated muscle cells.
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What You'll Learn
The rectus abdominis muscle is striated
The rectus abdominis is a crucial postural muscle that aids in respiration during forceful exhalation, such as after exercise. It is innervated by the thoraco-abdominal nerves, which are continuations of the T7-T11 intercostal nerves. The sensory supply to these nerves is provided by the 7-12 thoracic nerves. The muscle is involved in multiple actions, including providing structural support to adjacent abdominal structures.
The rectus abdominis is paired with the pyramidalis muscle, and together they are enclosed within the rectus sheath, a fibrous compartment. The rectus sheath is formed by the merging of the aponeurosis of the transversus abdominis, external and internal oblique abdominal muscles. The rectus abdominis receives its blood supply from various vessels, predominantly the inferior and superior epigastric arteries.
The rectus abdominis is a vital component of core stability, working in conjunction with other core muscles such as the transversus abdominis, erector spinae, and obliques. Weakness in the rectus abdominis can lead to spinal problems. To assess the strength of this muscle, therapists may use techniques such as the sit-up exercise or the MMT, which involves raising the trunk against gravity from a supine position.
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It is a long, flat muscle
The rectus abdominis muscle is a long, flat muscle that extends along the whole length of the front of the abdomen. It is separated from its fellow on the opposite side by the linea alba, a connective tissue. The rectus abdominis is one of the muscles of the abdomen, specifically the top layer of the abdominal muscles, commonly referred to as the "six-pack". It is a long, strap-like type of skeletal muscle.
The rectus abdominis is an important postural muscle. It is responsible for flexing the lumbar spine, as when doing a crunch. The rib cage is brought up to where the pelvis is when the pelvis is fixed, or the pelvis can be brought towards the rib cage when the rib cage is fixed, as in a leg-hip raise. The rectus abdominis also assists with breathing and plays a role in respiration when forcefully exhaling, as seen after exercise.
The rectus abdominis muscle is innervated by the thoraco-abdominal nerves, which are continuations of the T7-T11 intercostal nerves. These nerves pierce the anterior layer of the rectus sheath. The sensory supply is from the 7-12 thoracic nerves. The muscle is also supplied by the superior and inferior epigastric arteries and veins, which run within the posterior rectus sheath.
The rectus abdominis muscle is paired and runs vertically, with each side of the linea alba on the anterior surface of the abdominal wall. It is attached by two tendons; the larger one is attached to the pubic crest, from the pubic tubercle to the pectineal line, while the smaller, medial tendon is attached to the pubic symphysis. The fibres of the rectus abdominis then extend vertically superiorly and insert into the xiphoid process of the sternum and the costal cartilages of the 5th, 6th, and 7th ribs.
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It is an abdominal muscle
The rectus abdominis muscle is indeed an abdominal muscle. It is a long, flat muscle that extends along the whole length of the front of the abdomen, and is commonly referred to as the "abs muscle" or "six-pack". It is separated from its fellow muscle on the opposite side by the linea alba, a connective tissue. The rectus abdominis is paired with the pyramidalis muscle, and together they form the anterolateral abdominal wall along with the three lateral abdominal muscles: external oblique, internal oblique, and transversus abdominis.
The rectus abdominis muscle lies within the rectus sheath, a fibrous compartment that is formed by the merging of the aponeurosis of the transversus abdominis, external and internal oblique abdominal muscles. The rectus sheath is crucial for surgeons to understand due to its varying composition according to its position. The rectus abdominis is innervated by the thoraco-abdominal nerves, which are continuations of the T7-T11 intercostal nerves. The sensory supply, on the other hand, is from the 7-12 thoracic nerves.
The rectus abdominis has many functions. It acts to flex the spinal column, tense the anterior wall of the abdomen, and assist in compressing the contents of the abdomen. It also assists with breathing and plays a crucial role in respiration during forceful exhalation, such as after exercise. The muscle is involved in core stability, acting like a natural weight belt to protect the lower back from injury. Weak abdominal muscles can lead to serious problems, including spinal issues.
The rectus abdominis can be injured through strains, also known as pulled abdominal muscles. This occurs when the muscle is stretched too far, resulting in tears within the muscle fibres. In severe cases, the muscle can even rupture from its attachment. Therefore, it is important to assess the strength of the rectus abdominis through exercises such as the sit-up exercise, which involves raising the trunk against gravity to the midline and slowly lowering it down repeatedly.
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It is involved in core stability
The rectus abdominis muscle is a long, flat muscle that extends along the whole length of the front of the abdomen. It is separated from its fellow on the opposite side by the linea alba, a connective tissue. The rectus abdominis is also referred to as the "abs muscle" and is visible as a "six-pack" in people with low body fat.
The rectus abdominis is part of the core muscles, which include the transversus abdominis, erector spinae, and obliques. Together, these muscles act like a natural weight belt, protecting the lower back from injury. Weak core muscles can lead to spinal problems.
The rectus abdominis plays a crucial role in core stability. It helps to flex the spinal column, tense the anterior wall of the abdomen, and compress the abdomen's contents. This muscle is involved in various movements, such as bringing the rib cage towards the pelvis or vice versa, and it assists with breathing and forceful exhalation, which is noticeable after exercise or in conditions that require exertion.
To assess the strength of the rectus abdominis, a common test is to ask the patient to raise their trunk against gravity from a supine position. The therapist then grades the patient's performance and ability to follow instructions. Another exercise to isolate the rectus abdominis is to raise and lower the trunk against gravity to the midline repeatedly in multiple sets.
In summary, the rectus abdominis is essential for core stability as it provides support to the spinal column and the anterior wall of the abdomen, enabling various movements and assisting in respiration. Weakness in this muscle can lead to spinal issues, so maintaining its strength through specific exercises is important.
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It is innervated by thoraco-abdominal nerves
The rectus abdominis muscle, also known as the ""abdominal muscle" or "abs", is a pair of segmented skeletal muscles found on the ventral aspect of a person's abdomen. It is the largest muscle of the abdominal wall, commonly referred to as the "six-pack". It is a very long, flat muscle that extends along the whole length of the front of the abdomen.
The rectus abdominis muscle is innervated by the thoracoabdominal nerves, which are continuations of the T7-T11 intercostal nerves. These nerves pierce the anterior layer of the rectus sheath, which is a durable, fibrous compartment that contains the rectus abdominis and pyramidalis muscles. The sensory supply to the rectus abdominis is from the 7-12 thoracic nerves.
The thoracoabdominal nerves enter the rectus sheath by piercing its anterior surface. They pass between the transversus abdominis and internal oblique muscle layers before piercing the sheath of the rectus abdominis muscle. These nerves are the anterior divisions of the 7th to 11th lower intercostal nerves, which continue to supply the abdominal wall even after the intercostal spaces they supplied end medially.
The blood supply to the rectus abdominis muscle comes from a number of vessels, but predominantly the inferior and superior epigastric arteries. Additionally, small terminal branches of the lower three posterior intercostal arteries, the subcostal artery, and the deep circumflex artery also contribute to the blood supply.
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Frequently asked questions
The rectus abdominis is a long, flat muscle that extends along the front of the abdomen. It is commonly referred to as the "abs muscle" or "six-pack".
The rectus abdominis is responsible for flexing the spinal column and tensing the anterior wall of the abdomen. It also assists in compressing the contents of the abdomen and plays a role in respiration during forceful exhalation.
The rectus sheath is a fibrous compartment that contains both the rectus abdominis muscle and the pyramidalis muscle. It is formed by the merging of the aponeurosis of the transversus abdominis, external and internal oblique abdominal muscles.
