Synonyms
Latin: M. rectus abdominis
- To the abdominal musculature overview
- To the musculature overview
The straight abdominal muscle (Musculus rectus abdominis) runs on both sides of the medial line of the abdomen. It is up to 40 cm long, 7 cm wide and can become up to one centimeter thick. The muscle has 3-4 sinewy transverse ridges that divide the straight abdominal muscle into 4-5 individual sections.
These sections can be shortened in isolation, which is important for targeted abdominal muscle training. Embouchure: pubic bone next to the pubic symphysis (tuberculum pubicum) Origin: 5th – 7th rib cartilage, sword process of the sternum (processus xiphoideus sterni) Innervation: Nn. intercostales 5- 12The training of the straight abdominal muscles is usually done by straightening the upper body while lying down. The athlete lies flat on his stomach and slowly straightens up.
Function
The straight abdominal muscle is the main antagonist of the deep, straight and short back muscles. It fixes the torso when carrying objects. In the case of non-fixed pelvises (on a free slope), the straight abdominal muscles are responsible for lifting and holding the pelvis. If the pelvis is fixed, the rectus abdominis is responsible for bending the trunk forward (raising the upper body from a lying position).