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The rectus muscle is a term that refers to a few different muscles in the human body. The rectus abdominis muscle is a long, flat muscle that extends along the front of the abdomen, and is often referred to as the abs muscle. The rectus abdominis muscle is important for core stability and plays a role in respiration. The rectus muscle can also refer to the four muscles that move the eyes about the longitudinal axis of the body, namely the inferior, medial, lateral, and superior recti.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Muscle type | Rectus abdominis |
| Muscle group | Abdominal muscles |
| Muscle shape | Long, flat |
| Muscle structure | Paired, vertical |
| Muscle function | Assists in respiration, stabilises the pelvis, depresses the ribs, supports the spine, holds internal organs in place |
| Muscle innervation | Thoraco-abdominal nerves (T7-T11) |
| Muscle blood supply | Inferior and superior epigastric arteries; contributions from posterior intercostal, subcostal, and deep circumflex arteries |
| Muscle thickness | Typically 10 mm, up to 20 mm in athletes |
| Muscle volume | 300 cm3 in non-active individuals, 500 cm3 in athletes |
| Tendinous intersections | Three, forming a 'six-pack' shape |
| Muscle attachments | Originates from the pubic bone, inserts into the xiphoid process of the sternum and the costal cartilage of ribs 5-7 |
| Muscle strain | Caused by overstretching or overuse, can lead to microscopic tears or rupture |
| Muscle repair | Rectus abdominis flap used in breast reconstruction surgery |
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What You'll Learn
The rectus abdominis muscle is a long, flat muscle
The rectus abdominis muscle is innervated by the thoraco-abdominal nerves, which are continuations of the T7-T11 intercostal nerves. It receives its blood supply from the superior and inferior epigastric arteries, with additional contributions from the posterior intercostal, subcostal, and deep circumflex arteries. The muscle is interrupted by three fibrous bands called the tendinous intersections, which divide it into segments, resulting in a ''six-pack'' shape in individuals with low body fat.
The fibres of the rectus abdominis originate from the crest of the pubic bone and insert into the xiphoid process of the sternum and the costal cartilages of the 5th, 6th, and 7th ribs. In some cases, the lateral fibres may attach to the anterior end of the 3rd or 4th ribs as well. The rectus abdominis muscle works in conjunction with other abdominal muscles such as the pyramidalis, external obliques, internal obliques, and transversus abdominis to support the spine and stabilise the trunk during movement.
Weak abdominal muscles can lead to spinal problems and make individuals more susceptible to injuries such as abdominal strains or hernias. It is important to assess the strength of the rectus abdominis muscle through exercises such as raising the trunk against gravity from a supine position. Maintaining strong abdominal muscles helps to prevent injuries and ensures the proper functioning of this important muscle group.
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It is part of the core muscles
The rectus abdominis muscle, also known as the
The rectus abdominis is indeed part of the core muscles, which include the transversus abdominis, erector spinae, and obliques. These muscles work together to stabilize the spine and pelvis, providing balance and protection to the lower back. A strong core helps prevent injuries, improves performance, and reduces pain throughout the body, including the back, neck, and joints.
Core muscles can be divided into two main groups: stabilizers and global movers. The rectus abdominis falls into the category of global movers, which are characterized by fast-twitch muscle fibres. These muscles produce large movements and are responsible for generating torque and gross motor movements.
Exercises that target the rectus abdominis, such as modified bridging, partial sit-ups, and curl-ups, can help strengthen the core and improve stability. Additionally, exercises like bridging and planking can increase core stability and strengthen both the core and abdominal muscles.
In summary, the rectus abdominis is a crucial component of the core muscles, contributing to spinal stability, movement, and overall body balance and strength.
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It assists with breathing
The rectus abdominis is a long muscle that extends along the whole length of the front of the abdomen. It is often referred to as the "abs muscle" and is responsible for flexing the lumbar spine. It is also an important postural muscle, assisting with breathing and playing a role in forceful exhalation.
The rectus abdominis is one of the accessory expiratory muscles, along with the external oblique, internal oblique, and transversus abdominis. These muscles are recruited during exercise or when there is a dysfunction in the respiratory system. During active expiration, the rectus abdominis pulls the ribs down. It increases intra-abdominal pressure, pushing the diaphragm upwards.
The diaphragm is the major muscle responsible for breathing and separates the abdominal cavity from the thoracic cavity. During inhalation, the diaphragm contracts, moving downward and compressing the abdominal cavity. This raises the ribs, expanding the thoracic cavity and drawing air into the lungs. When the diaphragm relaxes, the elastic recoil of the lungs causes the thoracic cavity to contract, forcing air out of the lungs.
The rectus abdominis is innervated by thoraco-abdominal nerves, which are continuations of the T7-T11 intercostal nerves. It receives its blood supply from the inferior epigastric artery and vein, as well as other arteries such as the posterior intercostal arteries and the deep circumflex artery.
The strength of the rectus abdominis is important for core stability and can be assessed through various exercises. Weak abdominal muscles can lead to spinal problems.
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It can be injured, resulting in a pulled abdominal muscle
The rectus abdominis muscle, also known as the "abs muscle", is a long muscle that extends along the whole length of the front abdominal wall, from the rib cage to the pubic bone. It is separated from its fellow muscle on the opposite side by the linea alba, a band of connective tissue. This muscle is important for posture, as it is responsible for flexing the lumbar spine, and it also assists with breathing.
The rectus abdominis muscle can be injured, resulting in a pulled abdominal muscle. This type of injury is called an abdominal muscle strain and occurs when the muscle is stretched too far, causing tears in the muscle fibres. Most commonly, a strain causes microscopic tears, but in severe cases, the muscle can rupture from its attachment. A rectus sheath haematoma is an accumulation of blood in the sheath of the rectus abdominis muscle, which can be caused by a muscular tear. This condition is becoming more common due to the increasing use of anticoagulant medications in an ageing population.
Symptoms of a rectus abdominis strain can include abdominal pain and a mass or bulging in the abdomen. Risk factors for developing a rectus abdominis strain include weak abdominal muscles and engaging in sports or activities that involve a lot of running, jumping, or kicking. Sports such as basketball, football, tennis, and hockey, which require high-intensity intervals of running, can increase the risk of straining the rectus abdominis muscle.
The recovery process for a rectus abdominis strain can be lengthy and typically involves resting, rehabilitation, and gradually increasing activity levels. Initially, it is important to rest the muscle until walking can be done without difficulty. Then, passive and light stretching can be introduced to improve the range of motion. Finally, strengthening exercises, such as weighted leg presses, leg extensions, squats, and eccentric lunges, can be incorporated to rebuild muscle strength. It is important to listen to your body and gradually increase the intensity of exercises during the recovery process.
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It is innervated by thoraco-abdominal nerves
The rectus abdominis muscle, also known as the "abs", is a long, vertically oriented muscle located at the front of the abdomen, extending from the rib cage to the pubic bone. It is the largest muscle of the abdominal wall. 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, which is a structure formed by the merging of the aponeurosis of the transversus abdominis, external and internal oblique abdominal muscles. The sensory supply to the rectus abdominis muscle is provided by the 7-12 thoracic nerves.
The thoraco-abdominal nerves play a crucial role in the function of the rectus abdominis muscle, which is responsible for flexing the lumbar spine and stabilising the trunk. This muscle is also involved in maintaining posture and protecting internal organs. Weakness in the rectus abdominis and other core muscles can lead to spinal problems. Additionally, the rectus abdominis assists with breathing and plays a significant role in respiration during forceful exhalation, such as after exercise or in conditions like emphysema.
The rectus abdominis muscle is segmented by tendinous intersections, which can create the appearance of a "six-pack" when body fat is low. These intersections divide the muscle into distinct muscle bellies, resulting in a grid-like structure. The muscle has a variety of arterial blood supply sources, including the inferior and superior epigastric arteries, as well as contributions from intercostal arteries.
In summary, the rectus abdominis muscle, or the "abs", is a vital component of the abdominal wall and plays a crucial role in posture, movement, and respiration. Its function is closely tied to the innervation provided by the thoraco-abdominal nerves, which are continuations of the lower intercostal nerves. The health and strength of this muscle are important for overall spinal health and stability.
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Frequently asked questions
The rectus abdominis muscle is a long, flat muscle that extends along the whole length of the front of the abdomen. It is also known as the 'abs muscle' and is visible as a 'six pack' in people with low body fat.
The rectus abdominis is an important postural muscle. It flexes the lumbar spine and assists with breathing and respiration when forcefully exhaling, such as after exercise.
A rectus sheath hematoma is an accumulation of blood in the sheath of the rectus abdominis muscle, causing abdominal pain. It may be caused by the rupture of the epigastric artery or a muscular tear.
