Rectus abdominis muscle

Jump to navigation Jump to search

Template:Muscle infobox

WikiDoc Resources for Rectus abdominis muscle

Articles

Most recent articles on Rectus abdominis muscle

Most cited articles on Rectus abdominis muscle

Review articles on Rectus abdominis muscle

Articles on Rectus abdominis muscle in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ

Media

Powerpoint slides on Rectus abdominis muscle

Images of Rectus abdominis muscle

Photos of Rectus abdominis muscle

Podcasts & MP3s on Rectus abdominis muscle

Videos on Rectus abdominis muscle

Evidence Based Medicine

Cochrane Collaboration on Rectus abdominis muscle

Bandolier on Rectus abdominis muscle

TRIP on Rectus abdominis muscle

Clinical Trials

Ongoing Trials on Rectus abdominis muscle at Clinical Trials.gov

Trial results on Rectus abdominis muscle

Clinical Trials on Rectus abdominis muscle at Google

Guidelines / Policies / Govt

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Rectus abdominis muscle

NICE Guidance on Rectus abdominis muscle

NHS PRODIGY Guidance

FDA on Rectus abdominis muscle

CDC on Rectus abdominis muscle

Books

Books on Rectus abdominis muscle

News

Rectus abdominis muscle in the news

Be alerted to news on Rectus abdominis muscle

News trends on Rectus abdominis muscle

Commentary

Blogs on Rectus abdominis muscle

Definitions

Definitions of Rectus abdominis muscle

Patient Resources / Community

Patient resources on Rectus abdominis muscle

Discussion groups on Rectus abdominis muscle

Patient Handouts on Rectus abdominis muscle

Directions to Hospitals Treating Rectus abdominis muscle

Risk calculators and risk factors for Rectus abdominis muscle

Healthcare Provider Resources

Symptoms of Rectus abdominis muscle

Causes & Risk Factors for Rectus abdominis muscle

Diagnostic studies for Rectus abdominis muscle

Treatment of Rectus abdominis muscle

Continuing Medical Education (CME)

CME Programs on Rectus abdominis muscle

International

Rectus abdominis muscle en Espanol

Rectus abdominis muscle en Francais

Business

Rectus abdominis muscle in the Marketplace

Patents on Rectus abdominis muscle

Experimental / Informatics

List of terms related to Rectus abdominis muscle

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]


Overview

The rectus abdominis muscle (commonly known as "abs") is a paired muscle running vertically on each side of the anterior wall of the human abdomen (and in some other animals). There are two parallel muscles, separated by a band of connective tissue called the linea alba (white line). It extends from the pubic symphysis inferiorly to the xiphisternum and lower costal cartilages superiorly.

It is contained in the Rectus sheath.

The Rectus is crossed by fibrous bands, three in number, which are named the tendinous inscriptions. If well-defined, the rectus abdominis is colloquially called a "six pack".

Function

The rectus abdominis is a key postural muscle. It is responsible for flexing the lumbar spine, as when doing a 'sit-up'. The rectus abdominis can play a role in respiration in the event the patient is short of breath.

Blood supply

A Mathes and Nahai Type III muscle (2 dominant pedicles)

1 - The inferior epigastric artery and vein (or veins) run superiorly on the posterior surface of the rectus abdominis, enter the rectus fascia at the arcuate line, and help to supply the muscle with blood.

2 - superior epigastric artery ( a terminal branch of the internal mammary)

Also has small segmental contribution from lower 6 intercostal arteries

Location

The Rectus abdominis is a long flat muscle, which extends along the whole length of the front of the abdomen, and is separated from its fellow of the opposite side by the linea alba.

It is much broader, but thinner, above than below, and arises by two tendons;

  • the lateral or larger is attached to the crest of the pubis,
  • the medial interlaces with its fellow of the opposite side, and is connected with the ligaments covering the front of the symphysis pubis.

The muscle is inserted by three portions of unequal size into the cartilages of the fifth, sixth, and seventh ribs.

The upper portion, attached principally to the cartilage of the fifth rib, usually has some fibers of insertion into the anterior extremity of the rib itself.

Some fibers are occasionally connected with the costoxiphoid ligaments, and the side of the xiphoid process.

Animals

The Rectus Abdominis is similar in most vertebrates. The most obvious difference between animal and human abdominal musculature is that in animals, there are a different number of tendinous intersections.

Additional images

External links

Template:Muscles of trunk

Template:WH Template:WS fi:Vatsalihakset#Suorat vatsalihakset