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The rectus muscle is a long, flat muscle that extends along the front of the abdomen, enclosed by the aponeurosis of the abdominal obliques and transversus abdominis muscles. The rectus abdominis muscle is a paired vertical muscle found on either side of the midline of the anterior abdominal wall. It is separated from its fellow on the opposite side by the linea alba. The rectus muscle is also a collection of four muscles in the eye, which move the eyes about the longitudinal axis of the body.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type | There are two types of rectus muscles: Rectus Abdominis and Rectus Eye Muscle |
| Description | Rectus Abdominis is a long, flat muscle that extends along the front of the abdomen. Rectus Eye Muscle is one of the four rectus muscles that move the eyes about the longitudinal axis of the body. |
| Location | Rectus Abdominis is located on the anterior abdominal wall. Rectus Eye Muscle is located in the head and neck region. |
| Function | Rectus Abdominis is responsible for flexing the lumbar spine and assists with breathing. Rectus Eye Muscle is involved in elevating the eye and moving the eyeball. |
| Innervation | Rectus Abdominis is innervated by thoraco-abdominal nerves (T7-T11). Rectus Eye Muscle is innervated by cranial nerves, including cranial nerve III (oculomotor) and cranial nerve VI (abducens). |
| Blood Supply | Rectus Abdominis is supplied by the superior and inferior epigastric arteries. Rectus Eye Muscle receives blood from the superior muscular branches of the ophthalmic artery and the lacrimal artery. |
| Layers | Rectus Abdominis is enclosed by the aponeurosis of the abdominal obliques and transversus abdominis muscles. Rectus Eye Muscle consists of superior and inferior tendons. |
| Attachments | Rectus Abdominis attaches to the pubic bone and the costal cartilage of ribs 5-7. Rectus Eye Muscle arises from the fibrous ring around the optic nerve and attaches to the sclera. |
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What You'll Learn
- The rectus abdominis muscle is enclosed by the aponeurosis of the abdominal obliques and transversus abdominis muscles
- The rectus abdominis is a very long flat muscle, which extends along the whole length of the front of the abdomen
- The rectus abdominis is an important postural muscle and is responsible for flexing the lumbar spine
- The rectus abdominis muscle develops separately from the lateral abdominal wall musculature
- The rectus abdominis muscle is supplied by the anterior primary divisions of the lower six or seven thoracic spinal nerves
The rectus abdominis muscle is enclosed by the aponeurosis of the abdominal obliques and transversus abdominis muscles
The rectus abdominis muscle is a long, flat muscle that extends along the whole length of the front of the abdomen. It is one of the five main abdominal muscles, along with the pyramidalis, external obliques, internal obliques, and transversus abdominis. These muscles form the abdominal wall and act as a protective scaffold for the abdominal viscera, including the stomach, intestines, pancreas, liver, and gallbladder.
The arrangement of the rectus sheath varies along its length. In the upper portion of the anterior abdominal wall, the external oblique and anterior lamina of the internal oblique pass in front of the rectus abdominis muscle, while the posterior lamina of the internal oblique and transverse aponeuroses lie behind it. This pattern changes at the arcuate line, an area of demarcation visible on the abdominal wall. Below this line, all three aponeurotic layers are found anterior to the rectus abdominis muscle, and only the transversalis fascia separates it from the parietal peritoneum.
The rectus abdominis muscle has several important functions. It assists in flexing the lumbar spine, stabilising the pelvis during walking, and depressing the ribs. It also plays a role in respiration, helping with forceful exhalation after exercise or in conditions requiring increased respiratory effort. Additionally, the rectus abdominis contributes to maintaining consistent internal pressure in the abdomen, which is crucial for essential bodily functions such as breathing, coughing, vomiting, and childbirth.
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The rectus abdominis is a very long flat muscle, which extends along the whole length of the front of the abdomen
The rectus abdominis is a long, flat muscle that extends the entire length of the front of the abdomen. It is enclosed by the aponeurosis of the abdominal obliques and transversus abdominis muscles, sometimes called the rectus sheath. The rectus sheath is a fibrous compartment that contains both the rectus abdominis and the pyramidalis muscle. The rectus abdominis is a paired vertical muscle, with the left and right muscles separated by the linea alba. The linea semilunaris forms the lateral border of the rectus abdominis muscle and can usually be seen on the surface of the anterior abdominal wall.
The rectus abdominis originates from the crest of the pubis bone and inserts onto the xiphoid process of the sternum and the costal cartilage of ribs 5-7. It is innervated by the anterior primary divisions of the lower six or seven thoracic spinal nerves, specifically the T7-T11 intercostal nerves. The sensory supply is from the 7-12 thoracic nerves. The superior and inferior epigastric arteries supply the muscle with blood, with contributions from the posterior intercostal, subcostal, and deep circumflex arteries.
The rectus abdominis assists with flexing the lumbar spine and stabilising the pelvis during walking. It also aids in respiration, particularly during forceful exhalation after exercise or in certain conditions. The abdominal muscles help to retain the abdominal viscera in place and oppose the effects of gravity on them in the erect and sitting positions. They increase intra-abdominal pressure, which is important for various bodily functions such as childbirth, vomiting, and the Valsalva maneuver.
The rectus abdominis muscle can be strained or pulled, resulting in microscopic tears or, in severe cases, a rupture from its attachment. A rectus sheath haematoma is an accumulation of blood in the sheath of the muscle, causing abdominal pain. This condition may be caused by a rupture of the epigastric artery, muscular tear, anticoagulation, coughing, pregnancy, abdominal surgery, or trauma.
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The rectus abdominis is an important postural muscle and is responsible for flexing the lumbar spine
The rectus abdominis is a long, flat muscle that extends along the entire length of the front of the abdomen. It is enclosed by the aponeurosis of the abdominal obliques and transversus abdominis muscles, which is sometimes called the rectus sheath. The rectus abdominis is an important postural muscle, and it plays a crucial role in flexing the lumbar spine.
The rectus abdominis is responsible for stabilising the pelvis during walking and depressing the ribs. It also assists with breathing and respiration, particularly during forceful exhalation, such as after exercise or in specific conditions. This muscle is innervated by thoraco-abdominal nerves, which are continuations of the T7-T11 intercostal nerves. Its sensory supply comes from the 7-12 thoracic nerves.
The superior and inferior epigastric arteries supply the rectus abdominis muscle and the rectus sheath. The superior epigastric artery originates from the internal thoracic artery, while the inferior epigastric artery is a branch of the external iliac artery. These arteries form anastomoses, allowing for collateral flow along the midline abdominal wall. The rectus abdominis is separated from its fellow muscle on the opposite side by the linea alba, which forms its medial border.
The rectus abdominis is involved in flexing the lumbar spine, as seen in exercises like crunches. When the pelvis is fixed, the rectus abdominis bends the trunk forward, flexing the lumbar spine. Alternatively, if the thorax is fixed, the lumbar spine still flexes, but the pelvis is moved upward. This muscle also assists the flat muscles in compressing the abdominal viscera, helping to retain them in place against the effects of gravity when sitting or standing.
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The rectus abdominis muscle develops separately from the lateral abdominal wall musculature
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, which also divides the muscle into two segments. The rectus abdominis is an important postural muscle, responsible for flexing the lumbar spine and assisting with breathing and respiration. It also helps to stabilise the pelvis during walking and depresses the ribs.
The rectus abdominis muscle is enclosed within the rectus sheath, a fibrous compartment that also contains the pyramidalis muscle. The rectus sheath is made up of the fascial coverings of the external oblique, internal oblique, and transversus abdominis muscles. The superior and inferior epigastric arteries supply the rectus abdominis muscle and the rectus sheath.
As the muscles of the abdominal wall undergo further development, they become invested in epimysium, perimysium, and endomysium. The epimysium and perimysium originate from fibroblasts, while the endomysium forms from reticular fibres and the external lamina of the muscle itself, so it is derived from muscle fibres. These layers make up what is known as the rectus sheath.
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The rectus abdominis muscle is supplied by the anterior primary divisions of the lower six or seven thoracic spinal nerves
The rectus abdominis muscle, also known as the 'abs muscle', is a long, flat muscle that extends along the whole length of the front of the abdomen. It is a paired muscle, with one on each side of the linea alba, a band of connective tissue that divides the two halves of the muscle vertically. The rectus abdominis is an important postural muscle and is responsible for flexing the lumbar spine, as when doing a crunch. It also assists with breathing and plays a role in respiration when forcefully exhaling, as seen after exercise.
The superior and inferior epigastric arteries supply the rectus abdominis muscle. The superior epigastric artery arises from the internal thoracic artery, while the inferior epigastric artery is a branch of the external iliac artery. The superior and inferior epigastric arteries form anastomoses with each other, allowing for collateral flow along the midline abdominal wall. The rectus abdominis muscle is also supplied by the deep superior epigastric artery (DSEA) and DIEA, with secondary sources of blood supply provided by the posterior intercostal arteries, subcostal artery, and lumbar arteries.
The rectus abdominis muscle is involved in several functions, including core stability, flexion of the trunk, and assisting with breathing. It helps to stabilise the pelvis during walking and depresses the ribs. It also plays a role in protecting the lower back from injury by acting as a natural weight belt, along with other core muscles such as the transversus abdominis, erector spinae, and obliques.
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Frequently asked questions
The rectus muscle is a long, flat muscle that extends along the entire length of the front of the abdomen. It is enclosed by the aponeurosis of the abdominal obliques and transversus abdominis muscles.
There are four rectus muscles: the inferior, medial, lateral, and superior recti.
The rectus abdominis muscle is responsible for flexing the lumbar spine, stabilising the pelvis during walking, and depressing the ribs. It also assists with breathing and plays a role in respiration during forceful exhalation.
The rectus sheath is a durable, fibrous compartment that contains the rectus abdominis muscle and the pyramidalis muscle. It is composed of the superior and inferior epigastric arteries and veins, lymphatic vessels, and thoraco-abdominal nerves.
