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The rectus abdominis muscle (commonly known as "abs") is a paired muscle running vertically on each side of the anterior wall of the human abdomen (and in some other animals). There are two parallel muscles, separated by a midline band of connective tissue called the linea alba (white line). It extends from the pubic symphysis/pubic crest inferiorly to the xiphisternum/xiphoid process and lower costal cartilages (5-7) superiorly.
It is contained in the Rectus sheath. The rectus is usually crossed by three fibrous bands called the tendinous inscriptions. Colloquial names for the appearance of a well-defined rectus abdominis include a "six pack" and "washboard abs", and often carry cultural connotations of superior physical fitness. While the "sixpack" is by far the most common configuration of the muscle bellies of the rectus, there exist rare anatomic variations which result in the appearance of eight (four per side) muscle segments ("eightpack"), ten, or (even rarer) asymmetrically arranged segments. All these variations are functionally equivalent. The rectus abdominis is a key postural muscle. It is responsible for flexing the lumbar spine, as when doing a 'crunch'. The rectus abdominis can play a role in respiration in the event the patient is short of breath. It also helps in keeping the internal organs intact and in creating intra-abdominal pressure, such as when exercising or lifting heavy weights, during forceful defecation or parturition. The Rectus abdominis is a long flat muscle, which extends along the whole length of the front of the abdomen, and is separated from its fellow of the opposite side by the linea alba. It is much broader, but thinner, above than below, and arises by two tendons; - The lateral or larger is attached to the crest of the pubis,
- The medial interlaces with its fellow of the opposite side, and is connected with the ligaments covering the front of the symphysis pubis.
The muscle is inserted by three portions of unequal size into the cartilages of the fifth, sixth, and seventh ribs. The upper portion, attached principally to the cartilage of the fifth rib, usually has some fibers of insertion into the anterior extremity of the rib itself. Some fibers are occasionally connected with the costoxiphoid ligaments, and the side of the xiphoid process.
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