MUSCLES OF THE ABDOMEN

DIAPHRAGM
ORIGIN
Vertebral:crura from bodies of L1, 2 (left), L1-3 (right). Costal: medial
and lateral arcuate ligs, inner aspect of lower six ribs . Sternal: two
slips from posterior aspect of xiphoid

INSERTION
Central tendon

ACTION
Inspiration and assists in raising intra-abdominal pressure

NERVE
Phrenic nerve (motor) (C3, 4, 5). Sensory: phrenic, intercostals (6-12)
and upper two lumbar nerve roots

EXTERNAL ABDOMINAL OBLIQUE

ORIGIN
Anterior angles of lower eight ribs

INSERTION
Outer anterior half of iliac crest, inguinal lig, public tubercle and crest, and
aponeurosis of anterior rectus sheath

ACTION
Supports abdominal wall, assists forced expiration, aids raising
intraabdominal pressure and, with muscles of opposite side, abducts and
rotates trunk

NERVE
Anterior primary rami (T7-12)

INTERNAL ABDOMINAL OBLIQUE

ORIGIN
Lumbar fascia, anterior two thirds of iliac crest and lateral two thirds of
inguinal ligament

INSERTION
Costal margin, aponeurosis of rectus sheath (anterior and posterior ), conjoint
tendon to pubic crest and pectineal line

ACTION
Supports abdominal wall, assists forced respiration, aids raising intraabdominal pressure and, with muscles of other side , abducts and rotates
trunk. Conjoint tendon supports posterior wall of inguinal canal

NERVE
Anterior primary rami (T7-12) (conjoint tendon ilioinguinal nerve (L1))

PSOAS MAJOR
ORIGIN
Transverse processes of L1-5, bodies of T12-L5 and intervertebral
discs below bodies of T12-L4

INSERTION
Middle surface of lesser trochanter of femur

ACTION
Flexes and laterally rotates hip

NERVE
Anterior primary rami of L1,2

PSOAS MINOR

ORIGIN
Bodies of T12 and L1 and intervening intervertebral disc

INSERTION
Fascia over psoas major and iliacus

ACTION
Weak flexor of trunk

NERVE
Anterior primary rami of L1

PYRAMIDALIS
ORIGIN
Pubic crest anterior to origin of rectus abdominis

INSERTION
Lower linea alba

ACTION
Reinforces lower rectus sheath

NERVE
Subcostal nerve (T12)

QUADRATUS LUMBORUM

ORIGIN
Apices of transverse processes of L1-4, iliolumbar ligament and
posterior third of iliac crest

INSERTION
Inferior border of 12th rib

ACTION
Fixes 12th rib during respiration and lateral flexes trunk

NERVE
Anterior primary rami (T12-L3)

RECTUS ABDOMINIS
ORIGIN
Pubic crest and pubic symphysis

INSERTION
5, 6, 7 costal cartilages, medial inferiorcostal margin and posterior aspect of
xiphoid

ACTION
Flexes trunk, aids forced expiration and raise intra-abdominal pressure

NERVE
Anterior primary rami (T7-12)

TRANSVERSUS ABDOMINIS

ORIGIN
Costal margin, lumbar fascia, anterior two thirds of iliac crest and lateral half of
inguinal ligament

INSERTION
Aponeurosis of posterior and anterior rectus sheath and conjoint tendon to
pubic crest and pectineal line

ACTION
Supports abdominal wall, aids forced expiration and raising intra-abdominal
pressure. Conjoint tendon supports posterior wall of inguinal canal

NERVE
Anterior primary rami (T7-12). Conjoint tendon ilioinguinal nerve (L1)