Functional Rehab Academy

Obliques externus

Muscle origin
External surfaces of 5-12th rib

Muscle insertion
Linea alba, pubic tubercle, anterior half of iliac crest

Muscle function
Trunk flexion (bilateral contraction), trunk lateral flexion (unilateral contraction), trunk rotation (contralateral), compresses abdominal viscera and assisting in forced expiration

Nerve innervation
T7-12 (Lovett reactor T4-C6)

Primary muscle type
Phasic / Mixed type (50-60%)

Myofascial lines
Spiral line
Lateral line

Primary inhibatory muscles
Rhomboid, Latissimus dorsi both sides, Quadratus lumborum both sides, Psoas major both sides, Tensor fascia latae both sides

Organ relationship (T2-L2, Sacrum, n. Vagus)

  • Lungs (FA)
    • Symp – T2-6 (Pulmonary plexus)
    • Parasymp – CX (Vagus)
  • Esophagus (FA)
    • Symp – T4-9 (Esophageal plexus)
    • Parasymp – CX (Vagus)
  • Stomach (FA)
    • Symp – T5-9 (Celiac plexus)
    • Parasymp – CX (Vagus)
  • Pancreas (FA)
    • Symp T5-10 (Celiac plexus)
    • Parasymp – CX (Vagus)
  • Liver (FA)
    • Symp T5-10 (Celiac plexus)
    • Parasymp – CX (Vagus)
  • Gallbladder (FA)
    •  Symp – T5-T9 (Celiac plexus)
    •  Parasymp – CX (Vagus)
  • Small intestine (FA/AK)
    •  Symp – T5-12 (Celiac and superior Mesenteric plexus)
    •  Parasymp – CX (Vagus)
  • Large intestine (FA/AK)
    •  Symp – T10-L2 (Mesenteric and Hypogastric plexus)
    •  Parasymp – CX (Vagus) and S2-S4 (Sacral plexus)
  • Kidneys (FA)
    • Symp – T10-L2 (Renal plexus)
    • Parasymp – None (CX minimal)
  • Adrenals (FA)
    • Symp – T8-L1 (Celiac and Renal plexus)
    • Parasymp – None
  • Reproductive organs (FA)
    •  Symp – T10-L2 (Inferior Hypogastric, Ovarian and Testicular plexus)
    •  Parasymp – S2-4 (Sacral plexus)
  • Spleen (FA)
    •  Symp – T5-T9 (Celiac plexus) 
    •  Parasymp – None (CX minimal)
Anterior part
Client is seated with upper body upright and rotated 45 deg. towards the opposite side. Stabilize the knee with one hand and apply pressure towards rotation by pushing on the shoulder of the test side.
Lateral part
Client is supine with the legs extended and placed at the edge of the table towards the test side, and lifted up 10 deg. Stabilize around the hip with one hand and try to pull the legs towards the midline with the other hand.

Functional anatomy for

Obliques externus

Related joints

  • 5-12th. rib
  • T5-L5
  • Pubic joint

Associated muscles

Release exercises

Corrective strength exercises

Functional Rehab Academy

Manual and practical therapy strategies that will help you find the root cause(s) and achieve faster and better results with your clients.

Functional Rehab Academy is a part of:
Move2Peak Academy ApS, Denmark
contact@functionalrehabacademy.com