Dominic Stone
The abdominal muscles, also known as the abdominal wall, are a group of muscles that cover the front and sides of the abdominal region. They are essential in stabilising the body during movement and protecting the internal abdominal organs. The abdominal muscles are located between the rib cage and the pelvis and work together with the back muscles to form the core muscles. These muscles help to maintain posture, balance, and consistent internal pressure in the abdomen. They also play a role in regulating pressure during essential bodily functions such as breathing, coughing, vomiting, and childbirth. The abdominal muscles are composed of several types of muscles, including the rectus abdominis, external obliques, internal obliques, and transverse abdominis, which work together to enable various movements and rotations of the trunk.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Any of the muscles of the anterolateral walls of the abdominal cavity, composed of three flat muscular sheets |
| Composition | External oblique, internal oblique, and transverse abdominis, supplemented in front on each side of the midline by rectus abdominis |
| Function | Holding internal organs in place, protecting them, maintaining posture, providing core support, stabilising the trunk, maintaining consistent internal pressure in the abdomen, regulating pressure, supporting the spine, protecting the vertebral column, assisting in forceful expiration, increasing intra-abdominal pressure, protecting against hyperextension, pulling up the pelvis and lower limbs, assisting in trunk rotation, bending the trunk forward, assisting in bodily functions like breathing, coughing, vomiting, urination, defecation, and childbirth |
| Location | Between the ribcage and pelvis on the front of the body |
| Structure | Three layers of muscle that extend between the vertebral column, lower ribs, and the iliac crest and pubis of the hip bone. Fibres merge towards the midline, surrounding the rectus abdominis in a sheath before meeting fibres from the opposite side at the linea alba. |
| Treatment for injury | Avoid exercise, avoid activities causing pain or spasms, gentle stretching, applying ice, applying heat before activities |
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What You'll Learn
Functions of the abdominal muscles
The abdominal muscles are strong bands of muscles lining the walls of the abdomen, which is the trunk of the body. They have many important functions, including:
Stabilising the trunk and maintaining consistent internal pressure in the abdomen
The abdominal muscles help to stabilise the trunk and maintain consistent internal pressure in the abdomen. They can also regulate pressure when there is an increase in demand, such as during essential bodily functions like breathing, coughing, vomiting, and childbirth.
Supporting the spine and trunk during movement
The abdominal muscles, together with the back muscles, make up the core muscles. They help protect the spine and keep the body stable and balanced. They also enable the body to move between the ribcage and pelvis, allowing the trunk to be in constant motion and supporting the spine and trunk during activities such as walking, sitting down, standing up, or twisting from side to side.
Holding internal organs in place and protecting them
The abdominal muscles hold internal organs in place, including the stomach, intestines, pancreas, liver, gallbladder, and other organs. They also provide physical protection for these organs by encasing the abdominal cavity.
Maintaining posture and providing core support
The abdominal muscles help maintain posture and provide core support to the body.
Allowing the trunk to twist and turn
The external and internal oblique muscles allow the trunk to twist and turn. The external obliques are the largest of the flat muscles, and they enable the trunk to twist to the opposite side of the contracting muscle. The internal obliques operate in the opposite way, so twisting the trunk to one side requires the corresponding internal oblique and the opposite external oblique to contract together.
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Anatomy of the abdominal wall
The abdominal wall is a structure formed of skin, fascia, and muscle that encases the abdominal cavity and viscera. It is responsible for containing and protecting the intra-abdominal organs, as well as generating intrabdominal pressure and moving the vertebral column.
The abdominal wall can be subdivided into regions to allow for accurate examination findings. Vertical and horizontal lines can be drawn to divide the abdomen into nine regions or four quadrants. The abdominal wall receives blood from and drains into tributaries of the subclavian vessels. Specifically, the internal thoracic artery, a branch of the subclavian artery, descends between the internal intercostals and transversus thoracis muscles and passes into the abdomen through the sternocostal triangle or foramina of Morgagni. As it enters the abdomen, it gives off the musculophrenic artery and becomes the superior epigastric artery.
The lateral abdominal wall and lumbar regions receive vascular supply from branches of the thoracic aorta, including the posterior intercostal arteries and the subcostal. These arteries travel circumferentially between the internal oblique and transversus abdominis muscles. The posterior intercostal and subcostal veins run with the arteries before draining into the azygos and hemiazygos veins.
The anterior abdominal wall is supplied superficially by branches of the femoral artery and deeply by branches of the external iliac artery. The external iliac artery gives off the inferior epigastric and deep circumflex iliac arteries before descending into the femoral ring. The inferior epigastric artery ascends the inner surface of the abdominal wall to supply the deep suprapubic and umbilical regions.
Abdominal muscles are essential for keeping abdominal organs safe and stabilising the body during movement. They also help protect the spine and maintain posture and balance.
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Conditions affecting the abdominal muscles
The abdominal muscles are strong bands of muscles lining the walls of the abdomen, which is the trunk of the body. They are located at the front of the body, between the pelvis and the ribs. The abdominal muscles, along with the back muscles, make up the core muscles. They help protect the spine and keep the body stable and balanced. They also help with movement and hold the internal organs in place.
There are five main abdominal muscles:
- Pyramidalis
- Rectus abdominis
- External obliques
- Internal obliques
- Transversus abdominis
Abdominal muscle strains and hernias are common conditions affecting the abdominal muscles. A strain occurs when a person tears or overly stretches the muscles in the stomach. Overuse injuries, repetitive movements, accidents, chronic coughing, and intense exercise are some of the causes of abdominal muscle strains. Symptoms of a pulled stomach muscle include abdominal pain, muscle spasms, stiff muscles, and pain when coughing, sneezing, or laughing.
Hernias occur when the abdominal organs push through a weakened abdominal muscle, causing a bulge that can be seen and felt. Inguinal hernias, for example, are caused when the small intestines push through a weakened abdominal muscle in the groin area.
Prune belly syndrome is another rare condition affecting the abdominal muscles. Newborns with this condition have absent or weak abdominal wall muscles, resulting in a wrinkled appearance. It is often associated with undescended testicles and urinary system problems.
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Treatment of abdominal muscle injuries
The abdominal muscles are layered from deep to superficial, including the transverse abdominis, internal and external obliques, and rectus abdominis. Abdominal muscle injuries are common among athletes and active individuals as these muscles are constantly engaged to stabilise the body during movement.
- Rest is essential to allow the injured muscle to heal. Avoid any activities that cause pain or strain on the abdominal muscles.
- Apply ice to the injured area during the first 48 hours after injury, and also after any physical activity.
- Apply a warm compress before physical activity to loosen the muscle.
- Gentle stretching can aid in recovery, but it should not be painful or excessive, as this may slow the healing process.
- Over-the-counter pain relief medication, such as ibuprofen, can help manage pain and reduce swelling.
- Consult a healthcare professional for guidance on specific stretches and strengthening exercises to aid in recovery and prevent re-injury.
It is important to note that abdominal muscle strains can vary in severity, and in cases of suspected full muscle rupture, immediate medical attention is required. Athletes should be removed from the activity, and emergency medical care should be provided until professional help arrives.
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Abdominal muscle exercises
The abdominal muscles, along with the back muscles, make up the core muscles. They help protect the spine and maintain balance and stability. The abdominal muscles are located between the ribcage and the pelvis at the front of the body.
There are several exercises that can help strengthen the abdominal muscles. It is important to warm up before performing any physical activity and to stretch well at the end. Here are some exercises to target the abdominal muscles:
Plank
Plank poses are very effective at tightening the tummy. The classic plank pose involves lying down on the stomach, then raising all body weight on the toes and forearms or hands in a "plank" position. Hold the pose for as long as possible. A side plank involves putting all the weight on one forearm or hand and the sides of the feet. Back leg lifts can also be done while in the traditional plank pose.
Crunches
Lie on your back on the floor or an exercise mat. Place your hands behind your head and squeeze your shoulder blades together. As you exhale, activate your abdominal muscles and tilt your chin slightly towards your chest. Continue activating your abdominal muscles until your torso curls towards your thighs. Your shoulders should lift up, but your tailbone and lower back should remain on the mat. As you inhale, slowly lower back down. Repeat 8-10 times.
Leg lifts
Lie on your back with your legs extended out. Keep your back flat on the surface at all times. Lift your legs up towards your face, hinging at the hips. Stop when they are at a 90-degree angle. Keeping your legs together, lower them slowly to the floor. Keep your back as flat as possible throughout the movement, then repeat.
Russian twist
Sit on a mat with your knees bent and your legs and feet hip-width apart. Keep your arms straight out in front, shoulders down, and scoop in your abs. Curve your spine and lower your torso as far as you can while keeping your feet on the mat and your abs engaged. Hold for 10 seconds, then sit up to your starting position. Repeat three times.
Heel taps
Lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet on the mat. Your legs and feet should be hip-width apart. Curl your head, neck, and shoulders off the mat. Without lowering back down, tap your right hand to your right heel. Return to the centre and tap your left hand to your left heel.
Side crunch
Lie on your right side on the floor or an exercise mat. Stack your legs directly on top of each other. Support yourself with your right arm at a 90-degree angle, raising your torso. Your shoulder should be directly in line with your elbow. Keep your hips and lower knees on the mat. Activate your abdominal muscles to lift your hips off the mat. As you inhale, lower back down to the mat.
In addition to targeted abdominal exercises, many other activities can help burn fat and build muscle, including walking, running, swimming, spinning, and Pilates.
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Frequently asked questions
The abdominal muscles are the muscles of the anterolateral abdominal region, which extend between the vertebral column and the pelvis. They help to protect the spine and keep the body stable and balanced.
There are three flat skeletal muscles in the antero-lateral wall of the abdomen: the external oblique, the internal oblique, and the transversus abdominis. The rectus abdominis is also a pair of abdominal muscles.
The abdominal muscles work with the back muscles to form the core muscles. They help to protect the spine, keep the body stable and balanced, and hold internal organs in place. They also help with movement between the ribcage and pelvis, allowing the trunk to be in constant motion.
