What Is Considered Your Upper Abdomen?

A strong, toned upper abdominal area may look good, but these muscles serve a critical function -- they stabilize your spine, pelvis and back and help you perform a variety of everyday activities. They also keep your organs in place. Understanding what is considered your upper abdomen helps you plan an appropriate workout to target this area.

  1. Muscles in the Upper Abdomen

    • Your abdomen contains four primary muscles: the transversus abdominis, rectus abdominis and the internal and external obliques. These muscles exist in both the upper and lower abdomen because they extend from the ribs to the pelvis. Above your belly button, the marker for where your upper abdominal muscles lie, the anatomy is much the same as below. Your transversus abdominis lies below the other abdominal muscle structures. This large, flat muscle stabilizes the core. When you're talking about your "six pack," you're referring to the rectus abdominis, which functions to stabilize the core and help with torso mobility. You can find the external obliques just to the outside of the rectus abdominis muscles, and the internal obliques are just below the external oblique muscles. You use your oblique muscles to twist side to side.

    Exercises to Work Your Upper Abdomen

    • Your upper abdomen requires particular exercises to target the portion of abdominal muscles above your belly button. For instance, a bent-knee crunch strengthens the upper abdominals, as well as your hip flexors. To do this exercise, lie on your back on a flat, padded surface and position your feet on a chair, table or bench that allows your knees to bend at a 45-degree angle. Clasp your hands behind your head or fold your arms over your chest. Without pulling on the neck, curl your back and gently lift your head, shoulders and upper chest off the floor by contracting your upper abdominal muscles. Return to your original position. Repeat this at least 15 to 25 times. Other exercises to work your upper abdomen area include the bent-leg situp, straight leg situp, the incline bench situp, and the side bend with dumbbell or hyperextension bench.

    Organs of Your Upper Abdomen

    • Since the muscles of your upper abdomen hold your organs in place, it's useful to know which organs are influenced by those muscles. Organs involved in eating and digestion, such as your ascending, descending and transverse colon; the stomach; the duodenum and your small intestine are stabilized by the upper abdominals. Additionally, your liver, kidneys, spleen, pancreas, gallbladder, adrenal glands, abdominal aorta and various veins and arteries are secured by the upper abdominal muscles.

    Considerations

    • The area considered your upper abdomen needs exercise to keep it in shape, but your upper abdominal muscles can sustain injury. Strains, or small tears, may occur to the four muscles in this location due to over-use, incorrectly lifting heavy objects and incorrect sports technique. The muscles your upper abdominal muscles hold in place may also sustain injury or contract disease -- causes of upper abdominal pain may be the result of appendicitis, bile duct inflammation, gallstones, peptic ulcer, pleurisy and other diseases. Muscle strains can be minor, but more advanced muscle damage or pain from organs in the upper abdomen require a visit to your physician.