
The stomach is a muscular organ that is part of the gastrointestinal tract. It is lined by the abdominal muscles, which are strong bands of muscles that encase the abdominal cavity and viscera. The abdominal muscles are located between the rib cage and the pelvis on the front of the body. There are five main abdominal muscles: pyramidalis, rectus abdominis, external obliques, internal obliques, and transversus abdominis. These muscles help hold organs in place, support the body during movement, and regulate internal abdominal pressure.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of abdominal muscles | 5 main muscles |
| Location | Between the ribs and the pelvis on the front of the body |
| Function | Hold organs in place, support the body during movement, maintain internal pressure in the abdomen, and regulate internal abdominal pressure |
| Muscle groups | Transversus abdominis, rectus abdominis, external obliques, internal obliques, and pyramidalis |
| Muscle layers | 3 muscular layers of the abdominal wall, with a fourth layer in the middle anterior region |
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What You'll Learn
- The abdominal muscles include the rectus abdominis, pyramidalis, external obliques, internal obliques, and transversus abdominis
- The rectus abdominis is divided into two segments by the linea alba muscle
- The transversus abdominis is the deepest abdominal muscle and is part of the core
- The external obliques are the largest and bottommost of the flat muscles
- The internal obliques are much smaller and thinner than the external obliques

The abdominal muscles include the rectus abdominis, pyramidalis, external obliques, internal obliques, and transversus abdominis
The abdominal muscles are strong bands of muscles that line the walls of the abdomen, or the trunk of the body. They are located between the ribs and the pelvis on the front of the body. There are five main abdominal muscles: the rectus abdominis, pyramidalis, external obliques, internal obliques, and transversus abdominis.
The rectus abdominis is a pair of vertical muscles that run down the middle of the abdomen, from the ribs to the pelvis. They are divided into two segments by a muscle called the linea alba. The rectus abdominis holds internal organs in place and keeps the body stable during movement. When contracting, this muscle has the characteristic bumps or bulges that are commonly called a "six-pack".
The pyramidalis is a small, triangular vertical muscle located at the base of the pubic bone, in front of the rectus abdominis. It attaches to the linea alba and helps maintain internal pressure in the abdomen. Interestingly, about 20% of people do not have this muscle.
The external obliques are a pair of muscles, one on each side of the rectus abdominis. They are the largest of the flat muscles and sit at the bottom of the stack. The external obliques allow the trunk to twist from side to side.
The internal obliques are a pair of muscles on top of the external obliques, just inside the hip bones. They are much thinner and smaller than the external obliques. They run from the sides of the trunk toward the middle. The internal obliques operate in conjunction with the external obliques to flex and rotate the trunk.
The transversus abdominis is the deepest abdominal muscle and one of the most important core muscles. It provides static core stabilization, supporting the abdomen and contributing to lumbopelvic stability.
These abdominal muscles work together to support the trunk, enable movement, and hold organs in place by regulating internal abdominal pressure. They are essential for maintaining core stability and protecting the spine.
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The rectus abdominis is divided into two segments by the linea alba muscle
The rectus abdominis is a long, paired muscle that runs down either side of the midline of the abdominal wall. It is one of the five main abdominal muscles, and it is also known as the "abs muscle". The rectus abdominis is responsible for holding the internal organs in place, providing stability during movement, and assisting in compressing the contents of the abdomen. It is also involved in flexing the spinal column and tensing the anterior abdominal wall.
The rectus abdominis is divided into two segments by the linea alba, a fibrous structure that extends from the xiphoid process of the sternum to the pubic symphysis. The linea alba is a connective tissue that forms in the midline of the abdomen, where the aponeuroses of the flat muscles of the anterolateral abdominal wall come together. This intersection of connective tissue and muscle creates a visible vertical groove known as the linea semilunaris, which marks the lateral border of the rectus abdominis.
The linea alba plays a crucial role in the formation of the '"six-pack" appearance in individuals with well-developed rectus abdominis muscles and low body fat. The linea alba, along with the tendinous intersections within the rectus abdominis, create the segmented 'six-pack' shape. The tendinous intersections are fibrous bands that divide the rectus abdominis into segments, with one intersection at the level of the umbilicus, another at the xiphoid process, and a third located midway between them.
The rectus abdominis is not the only muscle that interacts with the linea alba. The pyramidalis muscle, a small triangular muscle located at the base of the pubic bone, also attaches to the linea alba. The pyramidalis sits in front of the rectus abdominis and assists in maintaining internal pressure within the abdomen.
Weakness or injury to the muscles and fascia associated with the linea alba can lead to various types of hernias, including Spigelian, umbilical, paraumbilical, and epigastric hernias. These hernias occur when there is a weakening or tearing of the musculature, allowing a portion of the bowel to protrude through.
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The transversus abdominis is the deepest abdominal muscle and is part of the core
The transversus abdominis is a broad, paired muscular sheet found on the lateral sides of the abdominal wall. It is the deepest abdominal muscle and is part of the core. It is also known as the transverse abdominis, transversalis muscle, and TVA. The transversus abdominis is a flat muscle of the abdomen and is positioned deep to the internal oblique muscle. It is innervated by the lower intercostal nerves (thoracoabdominal, nerve roots T7-T11), the iliohypogastric nerve, and the ilioinguinal nerve.
The transversus abdominis has several origin points: the lateral one-third of the superior surface of the inguinal ligament and the associated iliac fascia, the anterior two-thirds of the inner lip of the iliac crest, the thoracolumbar fascia between the iliac crest and the 12th rib, and the internal aspects of the lower six ribs and their costal cartilages. From these origin points, the transversus abdominis fibres course horizontally over the lateral abdominal wall towards the midline, perpendicular to the linea alba.
The transversus abdominis helps to compress the ribs and viscera, providing thoracic and pelvic stability. It can contract during the exhalation phase of respiration to force air out of the thorax. It also helps a pregnant person to deliver a child. The transversus abdominis is vital to back and core health and helps to pull in what would otherwise be a protruding abdomen, giving rise to its nickname, the "corset muscle". Training the rectus abdominis muscles alone will not result in a "flat" belly; this effect is achieved through training the TVA.
The TVA has been the subject of debate between biokineticists, kinesiologists, strength trainers, and physical therapists. The two positions on the muscle are: (1) that the muscle is effective and capable of bracing the human core during extremely heavy lifts, and (2) that it is not. The TVA is often used as part of a core stability, Pilates, or rehabilitation program.
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The external obliques are the largest and bottommost of the flat muscles
The abdominal muscles are strong bands of muscles that line the walls of the abdomen, or the trunk of the body. They are located between the ribs and the pelvis on the front of the body. There are five main abdominal muscles: pyramidalis, rectus abdominis, external obliques, internal obliques, and transversus abdominis.
The external oblique muscles work in conjunction with the internal oblique muscles. The internal obliques are a pair of muscles on top of the external obliques, just inside the hip bones. They are much thinner and smaller than the external obliques. The internal oblique layers run upward and forward from the sides of the abdomen.
The external obliques contract to allow the trunk to twist, but to the opposite side of whichever external oblique is contracting. For example, the right external oblique contracts to turn the body to the left. The internal and external oblique muscles operate in opposite ways. For instance, twisting the trunk to the left requires the left side internal oblique and the right side external oblique to contract together.
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The internal obliques are much smaller and thinner than the external obliques
The abdominal muscles are located between the ribs and the pelvis on the front of the body. They support the trunk, allow movement, and hold organs in place by regulating internal abdominal pressure. The abdominal muscle anatomy consists of five pairs of muscles. Two are vertical muscles located on the midline, and three are flat muscles stacked on top of each other, situated towards the sides of the trunk.
The internal obliques are a pair of muscles on top of the external obliques, just inside the hip bones. They are much smaller and thinner than the external obliques. The internal obliques run upward and forward from the sides of the abdomen. They operate in the opposite way to the external obliques. For example, twisting the trunk to the left requires the left side internal oblique and the right side external oblique to contract together.
The external obliques are the largest of the flat muscles and sit at the bottom of the stack. They run from the sides of the body toward the middle. The external obliques allow the trunk to twist from side to side.
The internal and external obliques are part of the four main abdominal muscle groups that combine to completely cover the internal organs. The abdominal muscles are strong bands of muscles lining the walls of the abdomen.
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Frequently asked questions
The abdominal muscles are strong bands of muscles lining the walls of the abdomen. They support the trunk, allow movement, and hold organs in place.
There are five main abdominal muscles: pyramidalis, rectus abdominis, external obliques, internal obliques, and transversus abdominis.
Transversus abdominis is the deepest abdominal muscle and one of the most important core muscles. It contributes to supporting lumbopelvic stability.
Rectus abdominis holds your internal organs in place and keeps your body stable during movement. It is slung between the ribs and the pubis at the front of the pelvis.
Pyramidalis is a small, triangular vertical muscle located at the base of the pubic bone. It helps maintain internal pressure in the abdomen.




















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