What is the function of the anatomical structure indicated by the arrow in the image below?
[lightgallery]

Options:
explanation: The image shows an axial view of the abdominal cavity. Maintenance of abdominal tension and support of abdominal organs is provided by the transversus abdominis muscle, which is the deepest muscle layer of the lateral abdominal wall. Transversus abdominis lies inferior to the external and the internal oblique muscles. However, the blue arrow indicates the rectus abdominus muscle of the anterior aspect of the anterior abdominal wall. The function of the rectus abdominus muscle is to allow movement of the body between the ribcage and the pelvis, since it is attached to the xiphoid process and costal cartilages superiorly and the pubic bone inferiorly. Specifically, it flexes the trunk.
name: Maintenance of abdominal tension and support for abdominal organs
label: d
answer: no
explanation: The image shows an axial view of the abdominal cavity. Rotation of the trunk is a function of the external oblique muscle, which is located in between the lower ribs and the pelvis, on the lateral aspect of the abdominal cavity. However, the blue arrow indicates the rectus abdominus muscle of the anterior abdominal wall. The function of the rectus abdominus muscle is to allow movement of the body between the ribcage and the pelvis, since it is attached to the xiphoid process and costal cartilages superiorly and the pubic bone inferiorly. Specifically, it flexes the trunk.
name: Rotation of the trunk
label: b
answer: no
explanation: The image shows an axial view of the abdominal cavity. Tension of the linea alba is thought to be attributable to the pyramidalis muscle, a small vestigial muscle located within the rectus sheath, anteriorly to the rectus abdominus muscle. However, the blue arrow indicates the rectus abdominus muscle on the anterior aspect of the abdominal cavity wall. The function of the rectus abdominus muscle is to allow movement of the body between the ribcage and the pelvis, since it is attached to the xiphoid process and costal cartilages superiorly and the pubic bone inferiorly. Specifically, it flexes the trunk.
name: Tenses the linea alba
label: e
answer: no
explanation: The image shows an axial view of the abdominal cavity. This answer describes the functions of the internal oblique muscle, which is located on the lateral aspect of the abdominal cavity, deep to the external oblique muscle and superficial to the transverse abdominis muscle. However, the blue arrow indicates the rectus abdominus muscle on the anterior aspect of the abdominal cavity wall. The function of the rectus abdominus muscle is to allow movement of the body between the ribcage and the pelvis, since it is attached to the xiphoid process and costal cartilages superiorly and the pubic bone inferiorly. Specifically, it flexes the trunk.
name: Trunk movement and increasing intra-abdominal pressure
label: c
answer: no
explanation: The image shows an axial view of the abdominal cavity. The blue arrow indicates the rectus abdominus muscle of the anterior abdominal wall. The function of the rectus abdominus muscle is to allow movement of the body between the ribcage and the pelvis, since it is attached to the xiphoid process and costal cartilages superiorly and the pubic bone inferiorly. Specifically, it flexes the trunk.
name: Movement of the body between the ribcage and the pelvis
label: a
answer: yes

Correct answer: a