SECOND SECTION · THIRD CHAPTER · THIRD SUBSECTION · Second Article
Second Article
It describes the abdominal muscles.
O noble one! It should be known that those with knowledge of anatomy have stated as follows: The abdominal muscles
are eight in number. They work together in many beneficial ways. One of their benefits is to assist in holding and protecting the excess urine in the intestine and the fetus in the womb.
Another benefit is that they help the diaphragm, strengthening it, and provide assistance when it is filled with gas and in cases of constipation. Another benefit is that they cover and envelop the stomach and intestines with their warmth.
Of the eight muscles, a pair of rectus muscles (adale-i müstekîme) descend vertically and spread their edges over the groin. The essence of the aforementioned pair is fleshy from its beginning to its end, and both muscles originate from the front of the structure that extends over the abdomen, and, together with those two elongated muscles, they expand and cross each other, descending to the lower part. Two pairs of muscles are also set upon the hollows of these aforementioned muscles and are found on both sides, that is, on the right and left.
Each pair consists of two muscles, which, from the "sharsuf" [578] to the groin, and from the "hâzıra" to the "gadrūf-i hançerîye" (xiphoid process), intersect like a cross, and the two sides of each pair meet at the groin on the right and left. The two other pairs join at the throat (larynx) on both sides. These two are situated on the fleshy parts of two broad muscles on each side.
The essence of the two aforementioned pairs of muscles is fleshy up to the point where they join the rectus muscle with a straight fascia-like tendon. They are placed upon the two long muscles that are situated over the aforementioned two pairs of broad muscles. This is the placement of the Exalted Creator.
"We declare the Wise Creator free from all deficiency." [127/a]