Your abdominal muscles have many important functions, from holding organs in place to supporting your body during movement. There are five main muscles: pyramidalis, rectus abdominus, external obliques, internal obliques, and transversus abdominis. Ab strains and hernias are common, but several strategies can keep your abs safe and healthy

1. ABDOMEN MUSCLES
By- Henan Fatemah Pathan Group 92
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2. What are the abdominal muscles?
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The abdominal muscles are a set of
strong bands ofmuscles lining the walls of
the abdomen (trunk of the body). They’re
located toward the front of the body,
between the ribs and the pelvis. An
abdominal wall is formed of skin, fascia, and
muscle and encases the abdominal cavity and

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4. Functions ofabdominal muscles.
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• Help with essential bodily functions, including
urinating, defecating, coughing, sneezing, vomiting.
They help also increase the intra-abdominal pressure
facilitating child birth.
Hold internal organs in place and protect them (including
stomach, intestines, pancreas, liver and gallbladder).
Maintain consistent internal pressure in the abdomen.
Maintain posture and provide core support.
Support the spine and body during sitting, standing,

5. Five main muscles in the abdomen..
External obliques.
Internal obliques.
Pyramidalis.
Rectus abdominis.
Transversus
abdominis.
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7. Superficial Fascia.
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The superficial fascia is connective
tissue. The composition of this layer
depends on its location:
•Above the umbilicus – a single sheet of
connective tissue. It is continuous with
the superficial fascia in other regions of
the body.
•Below the umbilicus – divided into two
layers; the fatty superficial layer
(Camper’s fascia) and the membranous
deep layer (Scarpa’s fascia).
-The superficial vessels and nerves

8. Muscles of the Abdominal Wall.
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The muscles ofthe anterolateral abdominal wall can be divided into
two main groups:
• Flat muscles – three flat muscles, situated laterally on either side
of the abdomen.
• Vertical muscles – two vertical muscles, situated near the mid-line
of the body.

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10. Flat Muscles.
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There are three flat muscles located laterally in the abdominal
wall, stacked upon one another. Their fibres run in differing
directions and cross each other – strengthening the wall and
decreasing the risk ofabdominal contents herniating through the
wall.
The three flat muscles are as follows:
(1)External Oblique.
(2)Internal Oblique.

11. (1) External Oblique.
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The external oblique is the largest and most
superficial flat muscle in the abdominal
wall. Its fibres run inferomedially.
•Attachments: Originates from ribs 5-12,
and inserts into the iliac crest and pubic
tubercle.
•Functions: Contralateral rotation of
the torso.
•Innervation: Thoracoabdominal nerves
(T7-T11) and subcostal nerve (T12).

12. (2) Internal Oblique.
• Innervation: Thoracoabdominal nerves (T7-
T11), subcostal nerve (T12) and branches of
the lumbar plexus. 12
The internal oblique lies deep to the external
oblique. It is smaller and thinner in structure,
with its fibres running superomedially
(perpendicular to the fibres of the external
oblique).
•Attachments: Originates from the inguinal
ligament, iliac crest and lumbodorsal fascia,
and inserts into ribs 10-12.
•Functions: Bilateral contraction compresses
the abdomen, while unilateral contraction
ipsilaterally rotates the torso.

13. (3) Transversus Abdominis.
• Innervation: Thoracoabdominal nerves (T7-
T11), subcostal nerve (T12) and branches of
the lumbar plexus. 13
The transversus abdominis is the deepest of
the flat muscles, with transversely
running fibres.
Deep to this muscle is a well-formed layer
of fascia, known as the transversalis fascia.
•Attachments: Originates from the inguinal
ligament, costal cartilages 7-12, the iliac crest
and thoracolumbar fascia. Inserts into the
conjoint tendon, xiphoid process, linea alba and
the pubic crest.
•Functions: Compression ofabdominal
contents.

14. Vertical Muscles.
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There are two vertical muscles located in the midline
of the anterolateral abdominal wall.
The two vertical muscles are as follows:
(1)Rectus Abdominis.
(2)Pyramidalis.

15. (1) Rectus Abdominis.
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The rectus abdominis is long, paired muscle, found either
side ofthe midline in the abdominal wall. It is split into
two by the linea alba. The lateral borders of the
muscles create a surface marking known as the linea
semilunaris.
At several places, the muscle is intersected by fibrous
strips, known as tendinous intersections. The tendinous
intersections and the linea alba give rise to the ‘six
pack’ seen in individuals with a well-developed rectus
abdominis.
•Attachments: Originates from the crest of
the pubis, before inserting into the xiphoid
process of the sternum and the costal cartilage of
ribs 5-7.
•Functions: As well as assisting the flat muscles in
compressing the abdominal viscera, the rectus abdominis

16. (2) Pyramidalis.
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This is a small triangular muscle, found
superficially to the rectus abdominis. It is
located inferiorly, with its base on the
pubis bone, and the apex of the triangle
attached to the linea alba.
•Attachments: Originates from the pubic
crest and pubic symphysis before
inserting into the linea alba.
• Functions: It acts to tense the linea alba.
• Innervation: Subcostal nerve (T12).

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18. Inguinal Canal.
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The inguinal canals are the
two passages in the anterior
abdominal wall of humans
and animals which in males
convey the spermatic cords
and in females the round
ligament of the uterus. The
inguinal canals are larger and
more prominent in males.
There is one inguinal canal

19. Key facts about the inguinal canal.
Walls
Roof- formed by Muscles: internal oblique, transversus abdominis
Anterior - formed by Aponeuroses: internal oblique, external oblique
Floor - formed by Ligaments: inguinal ligament, lacunar ligament
Posterior - formed by Tendon and transversalis fascia

20. Openings
Deep inguinal ring - at the midpoint of the inguinal ligament
Superficial inguinal ring - 'V' shaped defect in the external oblique
aponeurosis within the Hasselbach's triangle
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21. Content
Male: spermatic cord and ilioinguinal nerve
Female: round ligament of the uterus and ilioinguinal nerve
(*ilioinguinal nerve enters the scrotum through superficial ring,
but does not travel through the inguinal canal)
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22. Spermatic cord content
3 arteries: testicular, cremasteric, ductus deferens artery
3 fascial layers: external spermatic, cremasteric, internal spermatic
3 nerves: genital branch of genitofemoral nerve, sympathetic
fibers, ilioinguinal nerve
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24. Muscle Actions.
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All the abdominal muscles have different muscle fibers orientation
and act in all three planes during movements and are linked together
by having a common site of connection or by fascia.
Actions associated with abdominal muscle control can be complex. A
single muscle does not usually work in isolation but in harmony with
others. Physical activity involves a nearly infinite number of
variations all regulated by the brain.
The abdominal muscles work together to control the movement of
the spine, pelvis, and rib cage during gait.

25. Virtually all actions involve the abdominal muscles to some degree,
from biking, running and walking, to swimming, swinging a golf club
and playing chess. Even when the body is at rest, the abdominals (in
concert with other core muscles) help keep it stable and balanced.
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26. Physical Therapy Relevance.
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Injury: Abdominal muscle strain causes include overstretching,
improper technique while playing sports that require running, turning,
and jumping, lifting heavy objects, laughing, coughing, or sneezing.
Treatment of an abdominal muscle injury is difficult. There's no
way to splint the abdomen and it's nearly impossible to fully rest
these muscles.

27. The below are basic things to advice clients.
Avoid exercise to allow the injured muscle to heal.
Avoid activities that cause pain or spasm of the abdominal
muscles.
Practice gentle stretching. It should not be painful or excessive,
as this may slow the healing process.
Apply ice to the injured area in the acute phase, or during the first
48 hours after injury. It's also helpful to apply ice after activities.
Apply heat before activities to loosen the muscle.
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