Internal Obliques - Muscle Physiology & Functional Anatomy

Anatomy

Origin:

• Lateral 2/3 of the inguinal ligament, anterior 2/3 of the iliac crest & the lumbodorsal fascia.
  

Insertion:

• Linea alba, xiphoid process and the inferior (lower 2-4) ribs.

Major Artery:

Neural Innervation:

• Anterior primary rami of T6-L2

• Neural filaments from iliohypogastric & ilioinguinal nerves

Trigger Points:

Physiology

Concentric Functions:

• Flexion, rotation and lateral reflection of the (lumbar spine) torso

Eccentric Functions:

• Decelerates extension & rotation of the (lumbar) spine

Isometric Function:

• Dynamically stabilizes the lumbo-pelvic-hip complex & intersegmental spinal stabilization

Related Muscles

• Quadratus Lumborum
• Rectus Abdominis
• Transverse Abdominis

Exercises:

• Oblique Exercise Videos

More Images of the Internal Obliques Muscle

More Information about the Internal Obliques Muscle

The internal obliques muscle is derived from obliquus internus abdominis' in Latin.  Both internal and external obliques work with the transverse abdominis to increase the intra-abdominal pressure which helps support the lumbar spine in some exercises.

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