Remember the five main muscles that exist in your abdomen?
Correct. They are the Rectus Abdominis, Pyramidalis, External Obliques, Internal Obliques and the Transversus Abdominis.
Now, we also know that the ab muscles are located between the ribcage and the pelvis on the front of your body.
So, how many abs are there? How many muscles do I have in my abdomen? Aren’t the six-pack lines the muscles itself?
Remember, the lines that define the six-pack are called tendinous intersections (packs). That is simply a band of connective tissues. The actual five pairs of muscles are divided into two vertical muscles (up and down) & three flat muscles (stacked one on top of the other like pancakes).
Rectus Abdominis (Vertical Muscle)
This pair of muscles goes down either side of the middle of your abdomen from your ribs to the front of your pelvis. They’re divided into two segments by a muscle called the linea alba (white line). Your rectus abdominis hold your internal organs in place and keep your body stable during movement.
Pyramidalis (Vertical Muscle)
This vertical muscle is small and shaped like a triangle. It’s located at the base of your pubic bone. It sits in front of your rectus abdominis and attaches to your linea alba. Your pyramidalis helps maintain internal pressure in your abdomen.
External Obliques (Flat Muscle)
Your external obliques are a pair of muscles, one on each side of your rectus abdominis. They’re the largest of the flat muscles and sit at the top of the stack. They run from the sides of your body toward the middle. Your external obliques allow your torso (central part of the body that contains your chest, abdomen, pelvis and back) to twist from side to side.
Internal Obliques (Flat Muscle)
Your internal obliques are a pair of muscles right below your external obliques, just inside your hip bones. They’re much thinner and smaller than your external obliques. Like your external obliques, they’re on the sides of your rectus abdominis, running from the sides of your torso toward the middle. They work with your external oblique muscles to allow your torso to twist and turn.
Transversus Abdominis (Flat Muscle)
Your transversus abdominis are the deepest of the flat muscles, layered below your internal obliques. These muscles help stabilize your torso and maintain internal abdominal pressure.
So remember, everyone has abs. It doesn’t matter if you’re big or small, fat or thin, lazy or hardworking. Your abs are an integral part of your body because not only do they protect your internal organs, but also help with movement, mobility and posture. The next time somebody tries to show off and say you don’t have abs, just think to yourself “You uneducated ignorant fool, all beauty with no brains. How tragic”.
