Internal obliques

Anatomy

Origin:
Thoracolumbar fascia, iliac crest and the lateral two thirds of inguinal ligament.

Insertion:
Inferior border of 9th /10th to 12th ribs, aponeurosis to linea alba, pubic crest and pectineal line.

Key relations:
-Deep to the external obliques.
-Muscle fibres run superomedially.

Functions

-Compresses abdominal cavity and raises intrabdominal pressure e.g raking leaves.
-Flexes (contracting bilaterally) and rotates (contracting unilaterally) the vertebral column (trunk).

Supply

Nerve Supply:
Anterior rami of thoracic spinal nerves (T7 to T12).

Blood Supply:
Superiorly by: lower intercostal arteries.
Inferiorly by: either the deep circumflex iliac or iliolumbar artery.

Clinical

The internal oblique forms part of the superior wall of the inguinal canal.

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