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Did you know how having a hidden hero in your belly affects your breathing?
In the structure of the human body, the rectus abdominis is an important muscle located in the abdomen, often called "abdominal muscles." Not only are these muscles valued aesthetically, they also have a profound impact on our daily lives and breathing. This article will take an in-depth look at the structure, function, and important role of the rectus abdominis in the breathing process.
The name of the rectus abdominis comes from the Latin word meaning "straight abdomen," which corresponds to the shape of the muscle and its location in the body.
Structure of rectus abdominis
The rectus abdominis is a long, flat muscle that covers the entire front of the abdomen. The pair of muscles is separated along the midline by a band of connective tissue called the linea alba. The rectus abdominis muscles on each side are bounded by a band of connective tissue called the linea semilunaris. This muscle extends upward from the pubic symphysis, pubic crest, and lesser pubic tubercle to the xiphoid process and the cartilage of the fifth to seventh ribs. It is also wrapped within the rectus abdominis fascia, a thin membrane composed of the aponeurosis of the lateral abdominal muscles.
In the muscle tissue of the rectus abdominis, there are multiple connecting tissue bands called tendon intersections. These bands divide the muscle into several different abdominal muscle blocks. In people with low body fat, these muscle mass are exposed externally, with the most common number being six.
Function of the rectus abdominis
The rectus abdominis plays an important role in posture, responsible for flexing the lumbar spine, such as when doing sit-ups. The rib cage can be lifted upward when the pelvis is fixed, or the pelvis can be tilted toward the rib cage when the rib cage is fixed. These movements are not limited to sports, they are also crucial in daily life and when you need to breathe harder. The rectus abdominis helps in the exhalation process when breathing is forced, such as after exercise or in conditions such as COPD.
In addition, the rectus abdominis plays an important role in keeping internal organs stable and creating intra-abdominal pressure when exercising or lifting weights.
Clinical significance
Abdominal muscle strain, also known as torn abdominal muscle, is an injury to the abdominal wall muscles, which is actually caused by the muscles being overstretched. Strains to the rectus abdominis muscle are most common among athletes and can result in microscopic tears or more serious muscle ruptures. Meanwhile, rectus abdominis hematoma is an accumulation of blood within the rectus abdominis fascia, which may be caused by a rupture of the glandular artery or a tear in the muscle.
With the aging of the population and the widespread use of anticoagulant drugs, rectus abdominis hematoma, which has historically been considered a benign condition, is becoming more common and more serious.
The connection between your breathing and your rectus abdominis
When we think about breathing, we rarely think of the rectus abdominis. Current research shows that this group of muscles does more for breathing than just stabilizing the body. The contraction and relaxation of the rectus abdominis directly affects the volume of the chest cavity and the expansion of the lungs. When the rectus abdominis is functioning, it can effectively assist us in expelling carbon dioxide from the body.
This makes the rectus abdominis the "hidden hero" of our body in many difficult breathing situations.
Strengthening the rectus abdominis muscles through exercise can not only improve the stability of the body, but also improve breathing efficiency. In many cases, good abdominal muscle tone can even help reduce the impact of some respiratory diseases.
So let’s reacquaint ourselves with these hidden heroes and think about how I can improve important functions inside my body through exercise. Will these hidden muscles also become the new focus in your exercise?
