Abdominal Muscles Anatomy

By Elizabeth Quinn, About.com Guide

Updated February 03, 2013

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

The deepest layer of abdominal muscles is called the "transversus abdominis." The transverse abdominal muscle wraps around the torso from front to back and from the ribs to the pelvis. The muscle fibers of the transversus abdominis run horizontally, similar to a corset or a weight belt.

This muscle doesn't help move the spine or the pelvis, but it does help with respiration and breathing. This muscle helps facilitate forceful expiration of air from the lungs, stabilizes the spine and helps compress the internal organs.

Previous

• Abdominal Muscles Anatomy - What They Are and How They Work
• Abdominal Muscles Anatomy - The Rectus Abdominis
• Abdominal Muscle Anatomy - The External Obliques
• Abdominal Muscle Anatomy - The Internal Obliques
• Abdominal Muscle Anatomy - The Transversus Abdominis
• The Hip Flexors
• Design an Effective Abdominal Exercise Routine
• Great Ab Exercises To Try

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