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obliquus

obliquus

9.5
A muscle with slanting fibers that helps twist or bend the body
  • noun
  • /əˈblɪk.wəs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : oblicuo
  • In anatomy, the term 'obliquus' refers to various muscles with slanting fibers in the abdomen.

Examples

  • The obliquus muscle plays a crucial role in stabilizing the core during physical activities.

  • These very small cells resembled unicellular forms of the freshwater species Scenedesmus obliquus.

    Academic text (2008)
  • DIAGRAM: FIGURE 5: Differences in female and male lower extremity alignment. VMO = vastus medialis obliquus.

    Academic text (2002)
  • Exercises that target the obliquus muscles can help improve posture and reduce back pain.

Synonyms

oblique
vsobliquus
  • Specialized
2 7.6

A muscle on each side of the belly that helps twist and bend the body

is a general term for muscles with slanting fibers rather than a specific abdominal one
musculus obliquus externus abdominis
vsobliquus
  • Specialized
7.9

A flat muscle on the outside of the belly that helps twist the body and tighten the stomach area

is the broad general label for slanting fiber muscles rather than this outer one
external oblique muscle
vsobliquus
  • Specialized
5.1

A flat muscle on each side of the stomach that helps twist the body and pull in the waist

is the general class of slanting fiber muscles, not only this broad flat type
abdominal external oblique muscle
vsobliquus
  • Specialized
4.3

A flat slanted muscle on each side of the belly that helps turn and support the upper body

is a general slanting fiber muscle term rather than this specific supporting muscle

Compounds

A flat muscle on the outside of the belly that helps twist the body and tighten the stomach area

Surface Forms

obliquus singular
obliqui plural

Etymology

Obliquus as a muscle name comes from the Latin obliquus, meaning 'slanting', because these muscles run diagonally across the body, like the English word oblique says. So the obliquus muscles are named for their slanted fibres and their role in twisting or bending to the side.