Constipation can last from days to months, with interludes of diarrhea or normal bowel function. Stools are often hard and may be described as pellet shaped in at least 25% of bowel movements, or Bristol Stool Form Scale 1-2 (separate hard lumps like nuts that are difficult to pass, or sausage shaped but lumpy).
The external abdominal oblique muscle is the largest and most superficial of the 3 paired, flat abdominal muscles. It arises from the lower 8 ribs and interdigitations of the serratus anterior muscle.
The transverse abdominis (TA) muscle is the front wall of the inner core. It is the deepest layer of the abdominal. muscles and the fibers of the muscle run horizontally across the abdomen. When this muscle contracts the. abdomen pulls inward. There needs to be balance between the four layers of the abdominal muscles.