GLOSSARY

The external oblique is the largest and most superficial muscle of the lateral abdominal wall, with fibres running downwards and forwards like hands in pockets.

Attachments and Innervation

• Origin: the outer surfaces of ribs five to twelve; its digitations interdigitate with those of the serratus anterior.
• Insertion: the iliac crest, linea alba, and pubis via a broad aponeurosis.
• Nerve: the intercostal nerves T7–T11 and the subcostal nerve.

Important Structures