External Oblique Abdominal Muscle – Origin, Function and All

The external oblique is a pair of large, thin, superficial muscles that lie on the lateral sides of the abdominal region of the body. Contraction of certain muscles may result in several different actions, but they are best acknowledged for their lateral flexion and rotation of the trunk known as a side bend. The external obliques get their name from their location 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 stomach.

The external abdominal obliques have their origins with the lateral ribs 5 through 12 and insert into the linea Alba of the abdomen, the pubis, and the iliac crest of the hip bones. Their shape is approximately rectangular, with the long axis running anterior to posterior along the lineaAlba. Muscle fibers in the external obliques run medially and inferiority from the origins to the insertions across the lateral sides of the abdomen and end lateral to the rectus abdominis muscles.

The location and structure of the external abdominal obliques give them many different possible actions. Contraction of both external obliques results in the abdomen (as in sucking in the gut) or the flexion of the trunk (as in performing a crunch or sit-up). Contraction of one of the abdominal obliques results in the lateral flexion and rotation of the nose on the opposite side; in other words, the left external oblique rotates and flexes the trunk to the right.

External Oblique Muscle
External Oblique Muscle

External Oblique Functions 

The external oblique muscle does the following:

Laterally Flexes the Spine

This means that the external oblique muscle bends the spine to the side (i.e., it moves the ribcage down to the bottom towards the pelvis).

Rotates the Spine

This means that the external oblique muscle turns the spine to the side (i.e., it twists the torso).

Compresses the Abdominal Cavity

This means that the external oblique muscle constricts the abdominal cavity organs and can increase intra-abdominal pressure (i.e., during a Valsalva maneuver).

External Oblique Function
External Oblique Function

Other Functions of the External Obliques

  • Pulling the chest down to compress the abdomen
  • Supporting the abdominal wall
  • Assisting with forced expiration in breathing
  • Bending from side to side

Origin

It originates from the external cover of the lower eight ribs 5-12.

Insertion

The most posterior fibers are directed vertically and other fibersanteromedially. The internal obliques insert onto the costal cartilages of the lower 4 ribs, the abdominal aponeurosis (a superficial sheet of connective tissue over the abdomen), and the linea alba.

Nerve

The upper two-thirds of the external abdominal oblique is supplied by lower intercostal nerves T7-T11 and subcostal nerve T12. The lower third provided by the iliohypogastricL1 from lumbar plexus.

Artery

Upper 2/3 receives blood supply from branches of lower posterior intercostal and subcostal arteries, smaller 1/3 from the deep circumflex iliac artery.

Gross anatomy

The external oblique muscle originates from the outer surface of the middle of the shaft of the lower six ribs as fleshy fibers. At its origin, the upper four slips and smaller four slips interdigitate with the serratus anterior and the latissimus dorsi muscles, respectively. The muscle gradually becomes aponeurotic, which inserts into the whole length of the linea alba extending onto the pubic crest and the pectineal line. Lower fleshy fibers attach to the outer lip of the anterior two-thirds of the iliac crest. Muscle fibers are directed obliquely downwards and medially.

External Oblique Action
External Oblique Action

The Muscle has Some Essential Features

  • the inferior free border between the anterior superior iliac spine and the pubic tubercle is thickened and rolls inwards to form the inguinal ligament.
  • The posterior fleshy open border forms the anterior boundary of the lumbar triangle (of Petit).
  • The upper part of the aponeurotic layer crosses over the rectus abdominis muscle contributes to building the anterior segment of the rectus sheath.
  • The lower part of the aponeurotic layer creates the middle half of the inguinal canal; medial attachment provides a V-shaped gap (superficial inguinal ring) to ensure passage of the spermatic cord/round ligament.

Clinical Relevance

The weakness of EO muscle with other abdominal muscles increases the risk of hernia, umbilical hernia, for example.

Bilateral muscle weakness decreases the capacity of trunk flexion, and you can see anterior pelvic tilting from standing position in cases of bilateral weakness.

Trigger points: AO may form trigger points due to passionate strain, extra load during workouts, or even new activity, due to incision, direct trauma, or secondary due to different visceral pathology.

FAQs

[wps_faq style=”classic” question=”Q: What is the external oblique?”]A: External abdominal oblique is the most extensive and the most superficial of the lateral abdominal muscles. It lies beneath the thoracic and abdominal skin, covering the internal abdominal oblique and anterior halves of the ribs and intercostal muscles. Its muscular part provides the lateral part of the abdominal wall.[/wps_faq][wps_faq style=”classic” question=”Q: Why does my external oblique hurt?”]A: Activities such as rowing, raking leaves, chronic or persistent coughing, lifting heavy loads, shovels or pitchforks, and even sitting for long periods can bring on muscle pain in the external obliques.[/wps_faq][wps_faq style=”classic” question=”Q: Can you pull your external oblique?”]A: An oblique muscle strain, by definition, is a tear of the muscle fibers, but the degree of damage is what determines the severity. The mildest form of injury is a stretch of the muscle fibers, classically referred to as a strain. However, more severe injuries can be due to a partial or complete tear.[/wps_faq][wps_faq style=”classic” question=”Q: Where are oblique muscles located?”]A: 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 spread from the lower ribs to the pelvis. The external oblique muscles are responsible for the twisting of the trunk.[/wps_faq][wps_faq style=”classic” question=”Q: How can you tell the difference between internal and external obliques?”]A: The internal obliques function bilaterally (both sides) to flex the trunk and reduce its contents. They work unilaterally (one-sided) to laterally flex the trunk and rotate it to a similar team. The external obliques function bilaterally to flex the trunk and summarize its contents.[/wps_faq]