Abdominal Muscle & Pelvic Muscles By Thiru Murugan. M Muscles of abdomen: Abdominal muscles that cover the anterior and lateral abdominal region and meet at the anterior midline Muscle: Transversus abdominis, Rectus abdominis, External oblique muscles & Internal oblique muscles Transversus abdominis: O - iliac crest ; I - Linea alba Rectus abdominis: O - Pubic symphysis, pubic crest ; I - Xiphoid process, ribs 5-7 External oblique muscles: O - ribs 5-12 ; I - Linea alba & iliac crest Internal oblique muscles: O - iliac crest ; I - ribs 10-12, linea alba, pubic crest Function or Action: movement of the trunk, maintain intra abdominal pressure, protection of internal organs, helping in respiration Muscles of pelvic floor: The Pelvic Floor Muscles (PFM) are found in the base of the pelvis. There are superficial muscles and deep muscles Muscles: The levator ani is situated on either side of the pelvis. Consist of pubococcygeus, iliococcygeus, puborectalis and The coccygeus muscle completes the pelvic floor, which is also called the pelvic diaphragm. Levator ani: O - pubic bones; I – Anococcygeal ligament, Coccyx Coccygeus muscle: O - ischial spine ; I – coccyx and sacrum Function or Action: support & protect pelvic organs and maintain intra pelvis pressure, bladder and bowel control and sexual function Diaphragm: The diaphragm, located below the lungs, is the major muscle of respiration. O - xiphoid process, ribs 7-12, vertebrae L1-L3; I – central tendon of diaphragm. It is a large, dome-shaped muscle that contracts rhythmically and continually Upon inhalation, the diaphragm contracts and flattens and the chest cavity enlarges It separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities Function: primary muscle for breathing