ABSTRACT
On each side, the anterior abdominal wall has one longitudinal muscle, rectus abdominis (1), and three that sweep around it, become aponeurotic and contribute to the rectus sheath (2) before fusing in the linea alba (3). They pass from the thoracic cage to the pelvis, and have the following functions: abdominal compression to raise the intra-abdominal pressure during defecation, micturition, parturition and forced expiration, including coughing and sneezing; support of the abdominal contents; and support, flexion and lateral flexion of the lumbar vertebral column.
