The |external oblique| is a large, thin sheet of overlapping muscle that runs along the side of the torso and partly on the front from the lower |ribs| to the rectus, the |pubis| bone, and the |iliac crest| of the hip. The muscle is divided into two portions; and upper thoracic portion and a lower flank portion. The thoracic portion is located along the |rib| cage. The individual |ribs| can be seen beneath this muscle when it is relaxed. The lower flank portion is located along the side of the abdomen between the |rib| cage and the |pelvis|. Most of this muscle is concealed by fat. The two portions meet at the waist. This muscle assists the |rectus abdominis| muscle in flexing (bending) the |spine| when the trunk twists or turns. It also supports the abdominal organ tissue.
