What muscles compress the abdomen?
Abdominal Compressing Muscles
- Rectus abdominis: The rectus abdominis is a long, flat muscle that runs from the pubic bone to the ribs. It is responsible for flexing the spine, compressing the abdomen, and protecting the internal organs.
- Transverse abdominis: The transverse abdominis is a thin muscle that wraps around the waist like a corset. It helps to hold in the internal organs and compress the abdomen.
- Obliques: The obliques are two muscles, the external oblique and the internal oblique, that run from the ribs to the pelvis. They help to flex, rotate, and compress the spine and abdomen.
- Erector spinae: The erector spinae is a group of muscles that runs along the back of the spine. It helps to extend and support the spine and compress the abdomen.
- Diaphragm: The diaphragm is a dome-shaped muscle that separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity. It helps to breathe by contracting and relaxing to draw air in and out of the lungs. It also helps to compress the abdomen and protect the internal organs.