13. External Oblique

Origin: Ribs 5-12

Insertion: Xiphoid process, outer lip of iliac crest, pubic crest, and pubic tubercle, linea alba, inguinal ligament, and anterior superior iliac spine

Action:

  • Flexion of the torso
  • Contralateral rotation of the torso

Innervation: Thoracoabdominal nerves (T7-11) and subcostal nerve (T12)

Muscles of the abdomen anterolateral.
Figure 3.34 External oblique, by OpenStax College, CC BY 3.0.

Needling

Position: Supine

Palpation: Palpate along the lateral aspect of the iliac crest and lateral abdomen

Technique: Needle along the lateral iliac crest using it as a bony backdrop

Caution: High – abdominal visceral lie just inferior and medial to this muscle

Needling external obliques.
Figure 3.35 Needling external obliques, original image by Nadine Crocker, CC BY-NC 4.0.

Video 3.13 Needling of external obliques, original video by Nadine Crocker, CC BY-NC 4.0.

License

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Sinew Channel Needling Copyright © 2026 by Nadine Crocker is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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