Stomachmuscles.net

Knowing the stomach muscles anatomy is imperative for anyone serious about toning the abdomen. The anatomy of stomach muscles is comprised of four distinct muscle groups: the rectus abdominal, the transverse abdominal, the external obliques, and the internal obliques. This team of muscles together provides protection to internal organs and is the basic center of a body’s movement.

In the abdominal anatomy, the rectus abdominal is a vertical muscle in the front of the torso that originates from slightly above the pubic bone and terminates in the lower rib area. In addition to helping torso stability, this muscle is responsible for the much sought-after “six-pack” due to the intersections of the muscle that appear as individual bulges on a fit person. These intersections are used as points of leverage for the muscle so it can facilitate movement more easily. A technique that focuses on the rectus is the captain’s chair.

The transverse abdominal is a muscle that runs circular around the torso and is located behind the rectus abdominal. In the stomach anatomy, this muscle is the deepest and is shaped similarly to a weight belt. It helps with stability, posture, and balance. In addition, the transverse abdominal aids in breathing by pushing the ribcage closer to the spine, forcing air from the lungs. This muscle is considered the core of the body and most movements begin with a contraction of the transverse abdominal. To strengthen and exercise this muscle, Pilates can be a very beneficial option.

In the anatomy of stomach muscles, the external obliques are slim muscles originating in the hips and moving diagonally to the ribs. A human has two, one on either side of the torso. They help with rotation and lateral bending of the spine. First and foremost, the job of the external obliques is to coordinate movement and they are extremely important in simple motor tasks such as walking. As a secondary role, they are used for stability. One effective exercise to strengthen this muscle is by doing bicycle crunches.

The internal obliques are a pair of slim muscles that are located inside the external oblique and stretch perpendicular to it. Basically these muscles do the exact opposite of the external oblique group. Their primary use is to manage stability and the secondary function is for movement. In the stomach anatomy, this muscle aids in rotation and lateral bending of the spine. Excellent options for exercising the internal obliques are side crunches and side planks.

Learning which muscles comprise the abdominal anatomy and how they interact to protect organs and provide movement is essential to a person wanting to know how the body works. The specific muscle groups are best served by different movements and exercises that focus on a specific area. Knowledge of stomach muscles anatomy is important to both exercise beginners and advanced practicioners.