Canadian Medical Guide > Anatomy > Musculoskeletal System > Muscles > Muscle, Skeletal > Abdominal Muscles > Rectus Abdominis Terms and Definitions

Rectus Abdominis

Medical Definition:	A long flat muscle that extends along the whole length of both sides of the abdomen. It flexes the vertebral column, particularly the lumbar portion; it also tenses the anterior abdominal wall and assists in compressing the abdominal contents. It is frequently the site of hematomas. In reconstructive surgery it is often used for the creation of myocutaneous flaps. (From Gray's Anatomy, 30th American ed, p491)
Guide Notes:	/growth: coord with MUSCLE DEVELOPMENT; /embryol: coord with MUSCLE DEVELOPMENT if pertinent
Previously Indexed:	Abdominal Muscles (1966-1993)

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