external oblique (muscle)

ex·ter·nal ob·lique (mus·cle)

[TA]

flat muscle of abdomen; origin, external surfaces of fifth to twelfth ribs; insertion, anterior half of lateral lip of iliac crest and inguinal ligament inferiorly, and continuing medially as part of the anterior layer of the rectus sheath; action, supports and compresses abdominal viscera; flexes and rotates trunk; nerve supply, thoracoabdominal nerves.

Synonym(s): musculus obliquus externus abdominis [TA], abdominal external oblique (muscle)