Abstract

Objectives: The transversus abdominis (TA), internal oblique (IO), and external oblique (EO) muscles comprise the three layers of the abdominal muscles. These muscles contribute to body stability. In the early stages of muscular diseases, low back pain may manifest. The purpose of this study was to use computed tomography (CT) to determine the normal thickness of specific abdominal muscles in adolescents.

Methods: Muscle thickness was measured from a section passing through the umbilicus during CT examination performed for other reasons on 500 adolescent children aged 12-18 years.

Results: The average muscle thickness was greater in boys (mean=28.8, p=0.30). The thickest muscle was the IO in both sexes. Muscle thickness was the thickest in the IO in both genders. Muscle thickness was positively correlated with body mass index (p=0.001).

Conclusion: Understanding the normal thickness of abdominal muscles can guide diagnosis and treatment. Muscle thicknesses are as follows: IO, EO, and TA.