Rectus Abdominis Muscle Detail: 8 Pack Muscle

Rectus Abdominis muscle Anatomy

Rectus Abdominis Muscle

 

The rectus abdominis muscle, also known as the  "abs", this is a paired muscle running vertically on each side of the anterior wall of the human abdomen. There are two parallel muscles, 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. 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.

The rectus abdominis muscle is contained in the rectus sheath, which consists of the aponeuroses of the lateral abdominal muscles. Bands of connective tissue called the tendinous intersections traverse the rectus abdominus, which separates this parallel muscle into distinct muscle bellies.

The outer, most lateral line, defining the "abs" is the linea semilunaris. In the abdomens of people with low body fat, these bellies can be viewed externally and are commonly referred to as "four", "six", "eight", or even "ten packs", depending on how many are visible; although six is the most common.

Origin/Insertion:

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.

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.

It's typically around 10 mm thick or 20 mm thick in young athletes such as handball players.

Nerve Supply

The muscles are innervated by thoraco-abdominal nerves, these are continuations of the T7-T11 intercostal nerves and p

ierce the anterior layer of the rectus sheath. Sensory supply is from the 7-12 thoracic nerves.

Blood Supply:

Several arterial blood sources supply the rectus abdominis. Categorization of the muscular vascular structure: The inferior epigastric artery and vein (or veins) supply blood to the lower portion of the muscle by running superiorly on the posterior surface of the rectus abdominis, entering the rectus fascia at the arcuate line.

Second, blood for the upper part is supplied by the superior epigastric artery, a terminal branch of the internal thoracic artery.

Lastly, the lower six intercostal arteries also contribute numerous small segmental amounts.

8 Pack Of Rectus Abdominis Muscle

Action:

The rectus abdominis is an important postural muscle. It is responsible for flexing the lumbar spine, as when doing a so-called  sit up Exercise. The rib cage is brought up to where the pelvis is when the pelvis is fixed, or the pelvis can be brought towards the rib cage (posterior pelvic tilt) when the rib cage is fixed, such as in a leg-hip raise. The two can also be brought together simultaneously when neither is fixed in space.

Sit Up Exercise is Most Common Form Of Exercise Where Rectus Abdominal Musct is Chief Muscle Used In This Action.

Six Pack Abs Workout Video:

Eight Pack Or Six Pack Exercise is most Common And Famous Among People.

Exercise Of Rectus Abdominals:

Following are the Best Exercises of Rectus Abdominis Muscle.

Sit Up Exercise:

Sit Up Exercise

In Supine Position Flexes Both Legas , Hands Behind Head And Flexes The Spine And Heads Towards Knee And Repetation Of Same.

Sit Up Exercise 

Bilateral Leg Elevation In Supine Postion Uses Lower Abdominals Muscle.
Rectus Abdominis is strong Back Flexor Muscle.

Knee To Chest Exercise

To Reduce Lordosis Strengthening Of Rectus Abdominis Muscle is required.
strengthening of Rectus Abdominis And Other Back Flexor Muscle in Back Pain is Most Common And is Called Williams Abdominal Exercise.

Anatomical Variations

A variation of the rectus abdominis or pectoralis major may be the sternalis muscle. Occasionally, some fibers are joined to the side of the xiphoid process and the costoxiphoid ligaments.

Importance of the Muscles

The abdominalis recti, a muscle of the core, contribute to core stability. The rectus abdominis, transversus abdominis, erector spinae, and obliques are among the core muscles that work in collaboration to prevent lower back injuries. They look like a natural weight belt. People who have weak core muscles are more likely to have spinal issues.

At the linea alba, there is a midline separation known as diastasis recti abdominis. Diastasis is defined as any visible bulging during physical exertion or a palpable midline gap greater than 2.5 cm. It typically develops around the umbilicus, but it can occur anywhere between the pubic bone and the xiphoid process.

This spread belly is also common in newborns, and it should go away on its own. The majority of premature and African American infants exhibit it.

Assessment

Palpation

To ensure that the patient's muscles are relaxed, place a pillow under their knees and place them in a supine position. Palpate the patient's muscles along their xiphoid process, adjacent ribs, and pubis bone on both sides. After encouraging the patient to lift their trunk, ask them to relax.

Muscle Power Testing

It is more important to evaluate the strength of the abdominal muscles than their flexibility because weak abdominal muscles can lead to serious issues down the road.

When performing MMT for rectus abdominis, the patient is typically asked to raise his or her trunk against gravity while supine until the inferior angles of the scapula are off the table. The therapist then begins to grade the patient based on the patient's performance and capacity to complete the exercise as directed.

Clinical Significance

An injury to one of the abdominal wall's muscles is known as an abdominal muscle strain, sometimes known as a pulled abdominal muscle. Excessive stretching of the muscle results in a strain. The muscle fibers tear when this happens. Usually, a strain results in tiny tears within the muscle, but in extreme cases, the muscle may separate from its attachment.

An accumulation of blood in the rectus abdominis muscle's sheath is known as a rectus sheath hematoma. It can cause pain in the abdomen with or without a mass. Either a muscle tear or an epigastric artery rupture could be the source of the hematoma. Anticoagulation, coughing, pregnancy, abdominal surgery, and trauma are some of the causes of this.

There is evidence that the once-benign condition is becoming more common and serious due to the aging population and the widespread use of anticoagulant medications.

Individuals may have a positive Carnett's sign upon abdominal examination.

Although they usually go away on their own without treatment, hematomas can take months to go away.