Rectus abdominis muscle

Last revised by Mostafa Mohamed on 19 Feb 2022

Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data

Citation:

Knipe H, Mohamed M, Hacking C, et al. Rectus abdominis muscle. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 02 Dec 2023) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-24536

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-24536

Permalink:

https://radiopaedia.org/articles/24536

rID:

24536

Article created:

24 Aug 2013, Henry Knipe ◉ ◈

Disclosures:

At the time the article was created Henry Knipe had no recorded disclosures.

View Henry Knipe's current disclosures

Last revised:

19 Feb 2022, Mostafa Mohamed

Disclosures:

At the time the article was last revised Mostafa Mohamed had no recorded disclosures.

View Mostafa Mohamed's current disclosures

Revisions:

9 times, by 5 contributors - see full revision history and disclosures

Systems:

Musculoskeletal

Sections:

Anatomy

Tags:

stub, refs, cases

Synonyms:

Rectus abdominis
ReAb

The rectus abdominis muscle is strap-like in appearance and forms part of the anterior abdominal wall and is enclosed by the rectus sheath.

Summary

origin: pubic symphysis, tubercle and crest
insertion: xiphisternum and 5^th-7^th costal cartilages
action: supports abdominal viscera, compression of the abdomen, trunk movement
blood supply: superior and inferior epigastric arteries
innervation: anterior rami of T6-L1 spinal nerves

Gross anatomy

The rectus abdominis has three-to-four horizontal tendinous intersections that divide the muscle into segments, which are often incomplete posteriorly. It is divided into two halves by the vertical linea alba. Laterally, the rectus sheath fuses to form the linea semilunaris.