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Three layers of muscle enclose the lateral abdominal region and extend about halfway
across the anterior abdomen.
The most superficial layer is the external abdominal oblique its fibers pass
downward and anteriorly.
The next deeper layer is the internal abdominal oblique, whose fibers pass
upward and anteriorly, roughly perpendicular to those of the external oblique.
The deepest layer is the transverse abdominal (transversus abdominis), with
horizontal fibers.
Anteriorly, a pair of vertical rectus abdominis muscles extend from sternum to pubis.
These are divided into segments by three transverse tendinous intersections, giving
them an appearance that bodybuilders nickname the six pack.
The tendons of the oblique and transverse muscles are aponeurosesbroad fibrous
sheets that continue medially and inferiorly. At the rectus abdominis, they diverge and
pass around its anterior and posterior sides, enclosing the muscle in a vertical sleeve
called the rectus sheath.
They meet again at a median line called the linea alba between the rectus muscles.
Another line, the linea semilunaris, marks the lateral boundary where the rectus
sheath meets the aponeurosis.
The aponeurosis of the external oblique also forms a cordlike inguinal ligament at its
inferior margin this extends obliquely from the anterior superior spine of the ilium
to the pubis.
The linea alba, linea semilunaris, and inguinal ligament are externally visible on a person
with good muscle definition.
External Abdominal Oblique supports abdominal viscera against pull of gravity;
stabilizes vertebral column during heavy lifting; maintains posture; compresses
abdominal organs, thus aiding in forceful expiration; aids in childbirth, urination,
defecation, and vomiting. Unilateral contraction causes contralateral rotation of waist
O: Ribs 512
I: Anterior half of iliac crest, pubic symphysis, and superior margin of pubis
N: Ventral rami of spinal nerves T7T12
Muscles of the back primarily extend, rotate, and laterally flex the vertebral column.
The most prominent superficial back muscles are the latissimus dorsi and
trapezius but they are concerned with upper limb movements.
Deep to these are the serratus posterior superior and inferior they extend
from the vertebrae to the ribs.
Deep to these is a prominent muscle, the erector spinae, which runs vertically
for the entire length of the back from the cranium to the sacrum it is a thick
muscle, easily palpated on each side of the vertebral column in the lumbar
region. (Pork chops and T-bone steaks are erector spinae muscles.) as it
ascends, it divides in the upper lumbar region into three parallel columns.
o The most lateral of these is the iliocostalis, which is divided from
inferior to superior into the iliocostalis lumborum, iliocostalis thoracis,
and iliocostalis cervicis (lumbar, thoracic, and cervical regions).
o The next medial column is the longissimus, divided from inferior to
superior into the longissimus thoracis, longissimus cervicis, and
longissimus capitis (thoracic, cervical, and cephalic regions).
o The most medial column is the spinalis, divided into spinalis thoracis,
spinalis cervicis, and spinalis capitis.
The major deep muscles are the semispinalis thoracis in the thoracic region and
quadratus lumborum in the lumbar region.
The erector spinae and quadratus lumborum are enclosed in a fibrous sheath called
the thoracolumbar fascia which is the origin of some of the abdominal and lumbar
muscles.
The multifidus is a collective name for a series of tiny muscles that connect adjacent
vertebrae to each other from the cervical to lumbar region.
Erector Spinae extension and lateral flexion of vertebral column; the longissimus
capitis also produces ipsilateral rotation of the head
O: Nuchal ligament, ribs 312, thoracic and lumbar vertebrae, median and
lateral sacral crests, thoracolumbar fascia
I: Mastoid process, cervical and thoracic vertebrae, and all ribs
N: Dorsal rami of cervical to lumbar spinal nerves
The floor of the pelvic cavity is formed by three layers of muscles and fasciae that
span the pelvic outlet and support the viscera it is penetrated by the anal
canal, urethra, and vagina which open into a diamond-shaped region between the
thighs called the perineum.
The perineum is bordered by four bony landmarks: the pubic symphysis anteriorly, the
coccyx posteriorly, and the ischial tuberosities laterally. The anterior half of the
perineum urogenital triangle, and the posterior half anal triangle.
Bulbospongiosus expels remaining urine from urethra after bladder has emptied.
Aids in erection of penis or clitoris. In males, spasmodic contractions expel semen
during ejaculation. In females, contractions constrict vaginal orifice and expel
secretions of greater vestibular glands
O: Perineal body and median raphe
I: Male: Ensheaths root of penis
Female: Pubic symphysis
N: Pudendal n.
The Middle Compartment
In the middle compartment, the urogenital triangle is spanned by a thin triangular
sheet called the urogenital diaphragm this is composed of a fibrous membrane
and two or three muscles: the deep transverse perineal muscle and the external
urethral sphincter , and in females only, a compressor urethrae muscle. The deep
transverse perineal muscle, like its superficial counterpart mentioned earlier, is weakly
developed and not tabulated; the two of them serve to anchor the perineal body on the
median plane, and the perineal body, in turn, anchors other pelvic muscles. The anal
triangle has one muscle at this level, the external anal sphincter.
Levator Ani compresses anal canal and reinforces external anal and urethral
sphincters; supports uterus and other pelvic viscera; aids in the falling away of the
feces; vertical movements affect pressure differences between abdominal and
thoracic cavities and thus aid in breathing
O: Inner surface of lesser pelvis from pubis through tendinous arch of
obturator internus to spine of ischium
I: Coccyx via anococcygeal body; walls of urethra, vagina, and anal canal
N: Pudendal n., S2S3