Muscles / Core
Rectus abdominis
- Core
- Abdomen
- Superficial layer
Also called abs, six-pack.
Anatomy
- Origin
- Pubic symphysis and pubic crest
- Insertion
- Xiphoid process and costal cartilages 5-7
- Nerve
- Thoraco-abdominal nerves (anterior rami of T7-T11) and subcostal nerve (T12) (T7-T12)
Actions
- Flexes the trunk (lumbar spine)
- Compresses the abdominal viscera
- Controls pelvic tilt
Exercises that train it most
Supine leg slides / dead bug
McGill curl-up
Bent-knee hip raise (reverse curl)
Front plank (elbow-toe)
Bear hover
Also trained by
Notes
- Diastasis recti (widening of the linea alba) is common during and after pregnancy.
References (4)
- Standring S, ed. Elsevier. Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. 42nd ed.
- Dalley AF, Agur AMR. Wolters Kluwer. Moore's Clinically Oriented Anatomy. 9th ed.
- Neumann DA. Elsevier. Kinesiology of the Musculoskeletal System: Foundations for Rehabilitation. 3rd ed.
- Betts JG, Young KA, Wise JA, et al. OpenStax (free, openly licensed textbook). Anatomy and Physiology 2e