Rectus abdominis muscle

The rectus abdominis (Latin for rectus abdominis muscle ) begins at the chest, where it springs the sternum to the anterior surface of the fifth to seventh costal cartilage and the xiphoid ( xiphoid process ). He pulls down into two paths to the pelvis. There he is grown on the upper pubic symphysis and pubic between bumps ( pubic tubercle ).

The rectus abdominis is by three to four intermediate tendon (Inter Sektiones tendineae ) divided, so that when well-trained muscles and minimal or no subcutaneous fat a so-called " six-pack " shows. Between the left and right rectus abdominis as the midline linea alba ( " white line " ) as firm Bindegewebsnaht of the abdomen. A moving apart of the two muscles in the area of the linea alba is called diastasis recti. Above the navel of the muscle lies entirely within the so-called rectus sheath.

Sometimes there are one or two additional intermediate tendon below the belly button. Very rarely the muscle is completely absent.

Function

The rectus abdominis muscle ensures that the chest is pulled toward the legs and the torso is bent by it. On a frozen upper body, the front edge of the pool is raised on the other. If both the upper body as pool fixed, the tension of the muscle to support the abdominal serves. Antagonist is the musculus erector spinae.