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.
Anteriorly, the abdominal wall includes the rectus abdominis muscles, and the aponeuroses of the three muscles (the external and internal oblique and the transversus) that form much of the side of the abdomen. Posteriorly, the lumbar vertebrae and intervertebral discs project anteriorward (fig. 25-2).nteriorly, the abdominal wall includes the rectus abdominis muscles, and the aponeuroses of the three muscles (the external and internal oblique and the transversus) that form much of the side of the abdomen. Posteriorly, the lumbar vertebrae and intervertebral discs project anteriorward (fig. 25-2).