Logan Steele
The external oblique muscles are the largest and outermost of the three flat abdominal muscles of the lateral anterior abdomen. They are situated on the lateral and anterior parts of the abdomen, extending from the lower half of the ribs around and down to the pelvis. The internal oblique muscles are a pair of muscles on top of the external oblique muscles, just inside the hip bones. They are much thinner and smaller than the external oblique muscles. Oblique muscles are also known as the waist muscles and are connected to the ribs, the top of the hip bone, the fascia of the abdominals, and the lower back.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type | External abdominal oblique muscle |
| Location | Lateral and anterior parts of the abdomen |
| Shape | Broad, thin, and irregularly quadrilateral |
| Size | Largest of the flat abdominal muscles |
| Function | Pulls the chest downwards, compresses the abdominal cavity, increases intra-abdominal pressure, flexes the trunk, and contributes to side-bending and rotation |
| Attachments | Ribs (4th to 12th), iliac crest, pubic tubercle, pubic crest, linea alba |
| Nerve Supply | Lower intercostal nerves (T7-T11), subcostal nerve (T12), iliohypogastric L1 from lumbar plexus |
| Arterial Supply | Lower posterior intercostal arteries, subcostal arteries, deep circumflex iliac artery |
| Pain Causes | Rowing, raking leaves, chronic coughing, lifting heavy loads, shovelling, sitting for long periods |
| Treatment | Conservative treatment, physical therapy, stretching, warming up, cooling down |
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What You'll Learn
- External oblique muscles are the largest and outermost of the three flat abdominal muscles
- They are situated on the lateral and anterior parts of the abdomen
- The internal oblique muscle is just deep to the external oblique muscle
- Oblique muscles control bending and twisting of the torso
- Oblique muscle pain is typically a sign of injury to the oblique, or side, muscles
External oblique muscles are the largest and outermost of the three flat abdominal muscles
The abdominal external oblique muscle, also known as the external oblique muscle or exterior oblique, is the largest and outermost of the three flat abdominal muscles of the lateral anterior abdomen. The external oblique is situated on the lateral and anterior parts of the abdomen. It is broad, thin, and irregularly quadrilateral, with its muscular portion occupying the side and its aponeurosis occupying the anterior wall of the abdomen.
The external oblique muscles 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. They run from the sides of the body toward the middle, allowing the trunk to twist from side to side. The internal oblique muscles are a pair of muscles that lie on top of the external oblique muscles, just inside the hip bones. They are much thinner and smaller than the external oblique muscles.
The external oblique muscles originate from the external surface of the lower eight ribs (ribs 5-12) and extend down to the pelvis. The middle and upper fibres of the external oblique muscles are directed downward and forward, becoming aponeurotic at the midclavicular line and forming the anterior layer of the rectus sheath. The aponeurosis formed by these fibres decussates at the linea alba. The external oblique muscle also contributes to the formation of the inguinal canal and ligament.
The external oblique muscles have various functions, including pulling the chest downwards, compressing the abdominal cavity, and increasing intra-abdominal pressure. They also enable ipsilateral (same-side) side-bending and contralateral (opposite-side) rotation. For example, the right external oblique would side-bend to the right and rotate to the left. The external oblique muscles contribute to a variety of trunk movements, and strain or injury to these muscles can be debilitating, even affecting movements that do not directly use them, such as walking or running.
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They are situated on the lateral and anterior parts of the abdomen
The abdominal external oblique muscle, also known as the external oblique muscle or exterior oblique, is the largest and outermost of the three flat abdominal muscles of the lateral anterior abdomen. The external oblique is situated on the lateral and anterior parts of the abdomen. The lateral and anterior parts of the abdomen refer to the sides and front of the body, respectively.
The external oblique muscle is a broad, thin, and irregularly quadrilateral muscle, with its muscular portion occupying the side of the abdomen and its aponeurosis occupying the anterior wall. In most humans, the oblique muscle is not visible due to subcutaneous fat deposits and its small size. It arises from eight fleshy digitations, originating from the external surfaces and inferior borders of the fifth to twelfth ribs (lower eight ribs). These digitations are arranged in an oblique line that runs inferiorly and anteriorly, with the upper digitations attached close to the cartilages of the corresponding ribs and the lowest attached to the apex of the cartilage of the last rib.
The external oblique muscle plays a crucial role in pulling the chest downwards and compressing the abdominal cavity, increasing intra-abdominal pressure. It also enables ipsilateral (same-side) side-bending and contralateral (opposite-side) rotation. For example, the right external oblique would side-bend to the right and rotate to the left. The internal oblique muscle, which is situated just deep to the external oblique, functions similarly but rotates ipsilaterally.
The external oblique muscles are a pair of muscles, with one muscle located on each side of the rectus abdominis. They are the largest of the flat muscles and sit at the bottom of the stack. These muscles allow the trunk to twist from side to side, providing stability and balance to the body. The internal oblique muscles are a pair of muscles located on top of the external oblique muscles, just inside the hip bones. They are much thinner and smaller than the external oblique muscles but share a similar function, contributing to the stability and movement of the trunk.
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The internal oblique muscle is just deep to the external oblique muscle
The human body has five main abdominal muscles: pyramidalis, rectus abdominis, external obliques, internal obliques, and transversus abdominis. These muscles are strong bands of muscles lining the walls of the abdomen (or trunk). They are located towards the front of the body, between the ribs and the pelvis.
The external oblique muscle is the largest and outermost of the three flat abdominal muscles of the lateral anterior abdomen. It is situated on the lateral and anterior parts of the abdomen. It is broad, thin, and irregularly quadrilateral. The external oblique muscle extends from the lower half of the ribs around and down to the pelvis. Together, the external oblique muscles cover the sides of the abdominal area, sitting on the top surface of the abdomen right below the subcutaneous fat and skin. The external oblique functions to pull the chest downwards and compress the abdominal cavity, increasing intra-abdominal pressure. It also performs ipsilateral (same-side) side-bending and contralateral (opposite-side) rotation.
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Oblique muscles control bending and twisting of the torso
The abdominal external oblique muscle, also known as the external oblique muscle or exterior oblique, is the largest and outermost of the three flat abdominal muscles of the lateral anterior abdomen. The external oblique is situated on the lateral and anterior parts of the abdomen. It is broad, thin, and irregularly quadrilateral, with its muscular portion occupying the side and its aponeurosis occupying the anterior wall of the abdomen. The external oblique is one of five main abdominal muscles, the others being the pyramidalis, rectus abdominis, internal oblique, and transversus abdominis.
The external oblique functions to pull the chest downwards and compress the abdominal cavity, which increases intra-abdominal pressure. It also performs ipsilateral (same-side) side-bending and contralateral (opposite-side) rotation: the right external oblique would side-bend to the right and rotate to the left, and vice versa. The internal oblique muscle functions similarly, except it rotates ipsilaterally. The obliques are the muscles that are known as the waist muscles, and they connect the ribs, top of the hip bone, fascia of the abdominals, and lower back.
Abdominal muscles have many important functions, from holding organs in place to supporting the body during movement. They help protect the spine and keep the body stable and balanced. They also help with movement between the ribcage and pelvis, allowing the trunk to be in constant motion and supporting the spine and trunk during walking, sitting down, standing up, or twisting from side to side.
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Oblique muscle pain is typically a sign of injury to the oblique, or side, muscles
The obliques are the muscles that run down either side of the abdomen. They are also known as the waist muscles. There are two sets of oblique muscles: external and internal obliques. External obliques sit on the outer edge of the abdomen, while internal obliques sit directly next to them, closer to the core. These muscles work together when a person twists or rotates their body.
Oblique muscle pain is typically a sign of injury to the oblique muscles, also known as a "side strain". This injury is often caused by sports that require repetitive twisting and overarm movement, such as baseball, cricket, tennis, football, and golf. It can also be caused by activities such as rowing, raking leaves, chronic coughing, lifting heavy loads, using shovels or pitchforks, and even sitting for long periods of time. Oblique muscle pain can also be caused by emotional stress, a new exercise routine, or an incision.
The symptoms of an oblique strain include acute pain and localized tenderness over the lateral trunk near the rib cage. The pain may also spread to the abdomen, groin, and testicles. It is important to consult a doctor if you are experiencing pain in these areas, as it could be a sign of a more serious medical condition.
To treat an oblique strain, it is recommended to practice conservative treatment methods such as rest, stretching, and ice packs. With these methods, a full recovery can usually be expected within a few weeks. To prevent an oblique strain, it is important to practice proper technique and conditioning for any sports or activities that engage the oblique muscles. Additionally, warming up, cooling down, and stretching before and after exercising can help to prevent injury.
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Frequently asked questions
The external oblique muscles are the largest and outermost of the three flat abdominal muscles of the lateral anterior abdomen. They are situated on the lateral and anterior parts of the abdomen. They extend from the lower half of the ribs around and down to the pelvis.
The internal oblique muscles are a pair of muscles on top of the external oblique muscles, just inside the hip bones. They are much thinner and smaller than the external oblique muscles.
The external oblique muscles function to pull the chest downwards and compress the abdominal cavity, increasing intra-abdominal pressure. They also allow the trunk to twist from side to side and assist with breathing.
The internal oblique muscles function similarly to the external oblique muscles, except they rotate ipsilaterally (on the same side).
