External oblique muscle
External Oblique Muscle
The External Oblique Muscle (pronunciation: /ɪkˈstɜːrnəl oʊˈbliːk ˈmʌsəl/) is one of the outermost abdominal muscles, located on the lateral and anterior parts of the abdomen.
Etymology
The term "External Oblique Muscle" is derived from the Latin "Obliquus", meaning "slanting", and "Externus", meaning "outer". This refers to the muscle's position and the direction of its fibers in the body.
Anatomy
The External Oblique Muscle originates from the lower eight ribs and inserts into the iliac crest, the linea alba, and the pubic tubercle. It is the largest and the most superficial (outermost) of the three flat muscles in the lateral part of the abdomen.
Function
The primary functions of the External Oblique Muscle include rotation and lateral flexion of the trunk, as well as compression of the abdominal contents. It plays a crucial role in actions such as twisting the torso or bending sideways.
Related Terms
- Abdominal muscles: The muscles that compose the front of the abdomen.
- Iliac crest: The top edge of the ilium, a large bone in the human pelvis.
- Linea alba: A fibrous structure that runs down the midline of the abdomen in humans and other vertebrates.
- Pubic tubercle: A prominent forward-projecting tubercle on the upper border of the medial portion of the superior ramus of the pubis.
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