Name

# External Obliques

Pronunciation

(o-BLEEK)

Origin/Proximal Attachment

Lower borders of the lower 7 ribs (runs like hands in your pocket)

Insertion/Distal Attachment

Outer lip of the iliac crest; inguinal ligament; anterior layer of the rectus sheath

Action/Relevance

Unilateral: Rotates trunk to side opposite of contractionLaterally flexes trunk to same side of contraction Bilateral: Flexes the trunk4. Compresses the abdomen

Innervation

Intercostal nerves (7th-12th) Iliohypogastric nerves (T12, L1) Ilioinguinal nerves (T12, L1)

Notes

The Obliques and the Transversus Abdominis increase the intra-abdominal pressure necessary for the support of the vertebral column in some exercises.