Oblique

Oblique refers to a term used in anatomy to describe a muscle that is neither parallel nor perpendicular to the long axis of a body or limb. The term is often used to describe muscles that run at an angle to the long axis. Oblique muscles are found in various parts of the body, including the abdomen, where they form part of the abdominal wall, and the eye, where they control eye movement.

Anatomy

Abdominal Obliques

The abdominal obliques are a group of muscles found on the sides of the abdominal wall. There are two sets of abdominal obliques: the external obliques and the internal obliques. The external obliques are located on the outer surface of the sides of the abdomen, while the internal obliques are located just inside the hip bones.

Oblique Muscles of the Eye

The oblique muscles of the eye are two muscles, the superior oblique and the inferior oblique, that control the movement of the eye. The superior oblique helps to rotate the eye downward and outward, while the inferior oblique rotates the eye upward and outward.

Function

Oblique muscles have various functions depending on their location. In the abdomen, they assist in breathing, support the contents of the abdomen, and aid in twisting and turning the body. In the eye, they control the movement of the eye.

Clinical Significance

Damage or injury to the oblique muscles can result in a range of medical conditions. For example, injury to the abdominal obliques can cause pain and limit mobility, while damage to the oblique muscles of the eye can result in double vision or other vision problems.

See Also

• Muscular system
• Anatomy
• Abdominal wall
• Eye movement