The external oblique muscle is one of the outermost abdominal muscles, extending from the lower half of the ribs around and down to the pelvis.
What is the function of external oblique muscle?
The external obliques on either side not only help rotate the trunk, but they perform a few other vital functions. These muscles help pull the chest, as a whole, downwards, which compresses the abdominal cavity. Although relatively minor in scope, the external oblique muscle also supports the rotation of the spine.
Where is the external oblique and what does it do?
The external oblique muscles are located on the outer surface of the sides of the abdomen, on each side of the rectus abdominis. The muscles extend from the lower ribs to the pelvis. The external oblique muscles are responsible for the twisting of the trunk.
Why is it called external oblique muscle?
The external obliques get their name from their position in the abdomen external to the internal abdominal obliques and from the direction of their fibers, which run obliquely (diagonally) across the sides of the abdomen.
What do the internal and external obliques do?
Obliques. The external and internal oblique muscles rotate and side bend the trunk. These muscles also contribute to spinal stability.
Where do obliques attach?
It originates at the front of the iliac crest, the lumbodorsal fascia, and the iliopectineal fascia between the groin and hip bone. From these origins, the internal oblique muscle inserts at ribs ten, eleven, and twelve, at the linea alba, the pubic crest, and the pectineal line.
What does external oblique pain feel like?
You will feel a sudden sharp pain near your rib cage or abdomen (belly) following the onset of oblique muscle strain. This condition is rare, though, and is primarily observed in athletes. It can be treated within weeks with comprehensive physical therapy sessions.
Why does my external oblique hurt?
Oblique muscle injuries also can happen from overuse of the muscle, such as repeated sit-ups, from heavy or awkwardly lifting objects repeatedly or as a result of direct trauma to the abdominal wall.
How do I strengthen my external obliques?
Oblique side bends
- Stand straight and hold a dumbbell in one hand at your side. …
- Bracing your core, bend sideways at the waist, allowing the dumbbell to drop down toward the floor.
- Using your oblique, pull yourself back to start, repeating for the desired number of reps.
- Repeat on the other side.
What is the difference between internal and external obliques?
External oblique is an opposite side rotation muscle, while internal oblique is a same side rotation muscle. They work together.
How do obliques work?
The obliques work together to help you to bend side-to-side, rotate your torso from left to right, and assist with spinal flexion (the movement you’d typically associate with movements like crunches and situps that target those six-pack muscles).
What is the movement of the obliques?
External abdominal oblique in particular causes ipsilateral lateral flexion of the trunk and contralateral rotation of the trunk when it contracts unilaterally. Bilateral contraction flexes the trunk anteriorly, increasing intra abdominal pressure, which is useful in processes such as breathing, singing and defecation.
How do the external obliques move?
Unilaterally, they laterally flex the trunk and rotate it to the same side. Like the internal obliques, the external obliques function bilaterally to flex the trunk and compress its contents. However, they function unilaterally to laterally flex the trunk and rotate the trunk to the opposite side.
