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Rectus Abdominis Muscle

Rectus Abdominis Muscle

Author: Scott A. Sheffield MS

Last update: Oct 18th, 2022

The rectus abdominis muscle is a long flat abdominal muscle that forms the “6-pack”.

Rectus Abdominis Muscle

Rectus Abdominis muscle with labels: Deltoid, latissimus dorsi, external oblique, biceps brachii, abdominal aponeurosis, pectoralis major, serratus anterior

Rectus Abdominis muscle with labels: Pectoralis minor, latissimus dorsi, external oblique, biceps brachii, abdominal aponeurosis, , serratus anterior, Linea alba muscle with labels: Pectoralis minor, latissimus dorsi, external oblique, biceps brachii, abdominal aponeurosis, , serratus anterior, Linea alba

Rectus Abdominis muscle with labels: External intercostals, internal intercostals, serratus anterior, external oblique, linea alba, rectus abdominis

Rectus Abdominis muscle with labels: external oblique, rectus abdominis, internal oblique, abdominal aponeurosis

Rectus Abdominis muscle with labels: external oblique, rectus abdominis, internal oblique, transversus abdominis, abdominal aponeurosis

Rectus Abdominis with label

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Attachments of Rectus Abdominis Muscle: Origin & Insertion

Origin: (proximal attachments)
a. Pubic crest and symphysis pubis of the hip bone.

Insertion: (distal attachments)
a. Costal cartilages of ribs 5-7; xiphoid process of sternum.

Learn the muscles of the body fast and efficiently with these muscle anatomy reference charts.

Rectus Abdominis with label

Rectus Abdominis Insertion and Origin Labeled

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Actions of the abdomen:

a. Flexes vertebral column (torso).

First image in animation of a figure with a flexed vertebral column

Second image in animation of a figure with a flexed vertebral column

Third image in animation of a figure with a flexed vertebral column

Fourth image in animation of a figure with a flexed vertebral column

b. Compresses abdomen.

First image in animation of a figure with compressed abdomen

Second image in animation of a figure with compressed abdomen

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Fifth image in animation of a figure with compressed abdomen

Innervation of Rectus Abdominis Muscle:

7-12 intercostal nerves.

An Overview of the Rectus Abdominis Muscle

Test yourself on rectus abdominis muscle with answers hidden

Test yourself on rectus abdominis muscle with answers shown:Deltoid, pectoralis major, latissimis dorsi, serratus anterior, biceps brachii, external oblique, linea alba, rectus abdominis, abdominal aponeurosis

Test yourself on rectus abdominis muscle with answers shown:Pectoralis major, latissimis dorsi, serratus anterior, biceps brachii, external oblique, linea alba, rectus abdominis, abdominal aponeurosis

Test yourself on rectus abdominis muscle with answers shown:Pectoralis minor, latissimis dorsi, serratus anterior, biceps brachii, external oblique, linea alba, rectus abdominis, abdominal aponeurosis

Test yourself on rectus abdominis muscle with answers shown: :External intercostals, internal intercostals, serratus anterior, external oblique, linea alba, rectus abdominis, abdominal aponeurosis

Test yourself on rectus abdominis muscle with answers shown:External intercostals, internal intercostals, external oblique, linea alba, rectus abdominis, abdominal aponeurosis

Test yourself on rectus abdominis muscle with answers shown: Internal intercostals, external oblique, linea alba, rectus abdominis, abdominal aponeurosis

Test yourself on rectus abdominis muscle with answers shown: external oblique, internal oblique, rectus abdominis, abdominal aponeurosis

Test yourself on rectus abdominis muscle with answers shown: external oblique, internal oblique, rectus abdominis, abdominal aponeurosis, transversus abdominis

rectus abdominis muscle with labels: Insertion and Origin

Test yourself while observing the Rectus Abdominis Muscle anatomy

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