abdominal muscle

abdominal muscle extract from Britannica Online.

Any of the muscles of the front and side walls of the abdominal cavity. Three flat layers—the external oblique, internal oblique, and transverse abdominis muscles—extend from each side of the spine between the lower ribs and the hipbone. The abdominal muscles attach to aponeuroses, connective tissue sheaths that merge toward the midline, sheathing the rectus abdominis muscle on each side of the midline. The abdominal muscles support and protect the internal organs and take part in exhaling, coughing, urinating, defecating, childbirth, and motion of the trunk, groin, and lower limbs.

abdominal muscle is one of 26,000 free short articles on Britannica Philippines

Find more information on abdominal muscle. Upgrade to Britannica Online for more on abdominal muscle.