Transversus Abdominis Muscle: The transversus abdominis is the deepest of all the abdominal muscles, resting internally to the internal abdominal obliques muscle. It is a thin sheet of muscle whose fibers run horizontally anteriorly. It arises as fleshy fibers from the lower six costal cartilages, the lumbar fascia, the anterior two-thirds of the iliac crest and lateral third of the inguinal ligament.
It inserts into the linea alba, xiphoid process, and the symphysis pubis.
Nerve Supply of the Transversus Abdominis
The lower six thoracic nerves and the iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal nerves.
Function of the Transversus Abdominis
Contraction of the transversus abdominis muscle has a corset like an effect, narrowing and flattening the abdomen. Its principal function is to stabilize the lumbar spine and pelvis before movement of the lower and /or upper limbs occur.
