Rectus abdominis muscle

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Rectus abdominis

The human rectus abdominis muscle.

Details

Origin Crest of pubic

Insertion costal cartilages of ribs 5-7 Xiphoid process of sternum.

Artery inferior epigastric artery

Nerve segmentally by thoraco-abdominal nerves (T7 to T11)

and subcostal (T12)

Actions Flexion of the lumbar spine

Antagonist Erector spinae

 Identifiers

Latin musculus rectus abdominis

MeSH D017568

TA98 A04.5.01.001

A04.5.00.001

TA2 2357

FMA 9628

Anatomical terms of muscle

[edit on Wikidata]

The rectus abdominis muscle, (Latin: straight abdominal) also known as the

"abdominal muscle" or simply the "abs", is a paired straight muscle.[1] It is a paired
muscle, separated by a midline band of connective tissue called the linea alba. It
extends from the pubic symphysis, pubic crest and pubic tubercle inferiorly, to
the xiphoid process and costal cartilages of ribs V to VII superiorly.[2] The proximal
attachments are the pubic crest and the pubic symphysis. It attaches distally at the
costal cartilages of ribs 5-7 and the xiphoid process of the sternum. [3]
The rectus abdominis muscle is contained in the rectus sheath, which consists of
the aponeuroses of the lateral abdominal muscles. The outer, most lateral line, defining
the rectus is the linea semilunaris. Bands of connective tissue traverse the rectus
abdominis, separating it into distinct muscle bellies. In the abdomens of people with low
body fat, these muscle bellies can be viewed externally. They can appear in sets of as
few as two to as many as twelve, although, six is the most common.

Structure[edit]
The rectus abdominis is a very 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. Tendinous intersections (intersectiones tendineae) further subdivide each
rectus abdominis muscle into a series of smaller muscle bellies. Tensing of the rectus
abdominis causes the muscle to expand between each tendinous intersection. [4]
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.
Size[edit]
It is typically around 10 mm thick.[5], although, some athletes can have a rectus up to 20
mm thick.[6] Typical volume is around 300 cm³ in non-active individuals and 500 cm³ in
athletes.[7]