The abdominal muscles form the anterior and lateral abdominal wall and consist of the external abdominal obliques, the internal abdominal obliques, the rectus abdominis and the transversus abdominis. Acting together these muscles form a firm wall that protects the viscera and they help to maintain erect posture.
The rectus abdominis muscle, also known as the “abdominal muscle” or “abs”, is a paired muscle running vertically on each side of the anterior wall of the human abdomen, as well as that of some other mammals. There are two parallel muscles, separated by a midline band of connective tissue called the linea alba.
Transversus abdominis is a broad paired muscular sheet found on the lateral sides of the abdominal wall. Along with external abdominal oblique and internal abdominal oblique, it comprises the lateral abdominal muscles.
The transverse abdominis function is to maintain tone of the abdominal organs; when one side works it bends and rotates the body to the side. And whenever we employ deep breathing, for sports or what have you, the transverse abdominis muscle gets involved.
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