Made of skin, fascia, and four pairs of muscle, the anterior abdominal wall protects the organs located in the abdomen and moves the vertebral column. These muscles include the rectus abdominis, which extends through the entire length of the trunk, the external oblique, the internal oblique, and the transversus abdominus. The quadratus lumborum forms the posterior abdominal wall.
The muscles of the thorax play a large role in breathing, especially the dome-shaped diaphragm. When it contracts and flattens, the volume inside the pleural cavities increases, which decreases the pressure within them. As a result, air will flow into the lungs. The external and internal intercostal muscles span the space between the ribs and help change the shape of the rib cage and the volume-pressure ratio inside the pleural cavities during inspiration and expiration.
The perineum muscles play roles in urination in both sexes, ejaculation in men, and vaginal contraction in women. The pelvic floor muscles support the pelvic organs, resist intra-abdominal pressure, and work as sphincters for the urethra, rectum, and vagina.
anal triangle
posterior triangle of the perineum that includes the anus
caval opening
opening in the diaphragm that allows the inferior vena cava to pass through; foramen for the vena cava
compressor urethrae
deep perineal muscle in women
deep transverse perineal
deep perineal muscle in men
diaphragm
skeletal muscle that separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities and is dome-shaped at rest
external intercostal
superficial intercostal muscles that raise the rib cage
external oblique
superficial abdominal muscle with fascicles that extend inferiorly and medially
iliococcygeus
muscle that makes up the levator ani along with the pubococcygeus
innermost intercostal
the deepest intercostal muscles that draw the ribs together
intercostal muscles
muscles that span the spaces between the ribs
internal intercostal
muscles the intermediate intercostal muscles that draw the ribs together
internal oblique
flat, intermediate abdominal muscle with fascicles that run perpendicular to those of the external oblique
ischiococcygeus
muscle that assists the levator ani and pulls the coccyx anteriorly
levator ani
pelvic muscle that resists intra-abdominal pressure and supports the pelvic viscera
linea alba
white, fibrous band that runs along the midline of the trunk
pelvic diaphragm
muscular sheet that comprises the levator ani and the ischiococcygeus
perineum
diamond-shaped region between the pubic symphysis, coccyx, and ischial tuberosities
pubococcygeus
muscle that makes up the levator ani along with the iliococcygeus
quadratus lumborum
posterior part of the abdominal wall that helps with posture and stabilization of the body
rectus abdominis
long, linear muscle that extends along the middle of the trunk
rectus sheaths
tissue that makes up the linea alba
sphincter urethrovaginalis
deep perineal muscle in women
tendinous intersections
three transverse bands of collagen fibers that divide the rectus abdominis into segments
transversus abdominis
deep layer of the abdomen that has fascicles arranged transversely around the abdomen
urogenital triangle
anterior triangle of the perineum that includes the external genitals
1. Which of the following abdominal muscles is not a part of the anterior abdominal wall?
A) quadratus lumborum
B) rectus abdominis
C) interior oblique
D) exterior oblique
A
2. Which muscle pair plays a role in respiration?
A) intertransversarii, interspinales
B) semispinalis cervicis, semispinalis thoracis
C) trapezius, rhomboids
D) diaphragm, scalene
D
3. What is the linea alba?
A) a small muscle that helps with compression of the abdominal organs
B) a long tendon that runs down the middle of the rectus abdominis
C) a long band of collagen fibers that connects the hip to the knee
D) another name for the tendinous inscription
B
1. Describe the fascicle arrangement in the muscles of the abdominal wall. How do they relate to each other?
Arranged into layers, the muscles of the abdominal wall are the internal and external obliques, which run on diagonals, the rectus abdominis, which runs straight down the midline of the body, and the transversus abdominis, which wraps across the trunk of the body.
2. What are some similarities and differences between the diaphragm and the pelvic diaphragm?
Both diaphragms are thin sheets of skeletal muscle that horizontally span areas of the trunk. The diaphragm separating the thoracic and abdominal cavities is the primary muscle of breathing. The pelvic diaphragm, consisting of two paired muscles, the coccygeus and the levator ani, forms the pelvic floor at the inferior end of the trunk.