Abdominal Anatomy and Definition of Abdominal Beauty
The abdomen. Some people call it a belly. Others call it a tummy. Some call it a gut. Few people call it their favorite part of their body. It is the first place to see weight gain, and a place that often keeps layers of fat and tissue after weight loss. It is also often irreparably affected by pregnancy, beer, and gravity.
Defining Abdominal Beauty
Plastic surgeons like Dr. Agha work with the idea of “abdominal beauty.” All of the tummy tuck, mommy makeover, and liposuction procedures around the abdomen are all to help create the perfect “tummy.” Of course, beauty is partially subjective. But there are some standards to abdominal beauty that Dr. Agha is looking to achieve. These include:
- Flat or Muscular Belly – In women, a beautiful abdomen is one where the Rectus Abdominis appears firm and flat (with possible light abdominal muscle definition) without skin laxity. In men, the look is a bit more chiseled, with muscles that are visible above the surface.
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Firm Curves and Contouring – In the traditional “beautiful abdomen,” the abdominal oblique muscles are flat and less risen than the rectus abdominis muscles, thus providing the curves and contouring that clearly define the ab muscles, and add definition to the body. The bottom of these muscles should create a natural arrow that starts to point in the direction of the pelvis through the hip.
- Free of Fat, Tissues, Extra Layers – In aesthetic beauty, the belly should be free of extra fat and skin. In addition to low levels of fat (to help define the muscles) the skin should appear taut and healthy, without stretch makrs, weakness, or laxity.
- Symmetry – All beauty, not just on the abdomen, is largely based on symmetry. The same should be true with the abdomen. All of the abdominal muscles, as well as the love handles on both sides of the body and the way the contouring is defined should be as symmetrical as possible.
- Centered, Vertical Naval – Finally, the naval should be centered, with little hooding, and a symmetrical appearance. Though beauty of the naval has a partially subjective component, the proportions should be roughly equal, with either a slight vertical orientation or small oval.
Once again, abdominal beauty is subjective, so there are aspects to appearance that are not necessarily based on any clear definition of “beautiful abdomen.” Nevertheless, the above list is what tends to make some people appear to have a “more beautiful” abdomen than others, and that is what Dr. Agha tries to recreate in his surgical practice.
Understanding the Abdominal Anatomy
One of the most important first steps before deciding on plastic surgery is getting a better understanding of human anatomy, and what plastic surgeons like Dr. Agha work with when they craft a more attractive abdomen.
When we think of the abdomen, we think of muscles, specifically the following muscles:
- Rectus Abdominis – This muscle is what most traditionally refer to as “abs.” it is made up of several parts, including the rectus sheath, and three bands of connective tissue known as tendinous intersections, which make up what many refer to as a “six pack” or “eight pack” when the muscles are visible, or a “flat stomach” when there is little fat but the abs are not clearly defined.
- External Obliques – When you gain weight, these are called the “love handles.” But when you’re fit, we refer to them as obliques. They are a crucial component in contouring. They are located on both sides of your rectus abdominis muscles and hold your abdominal muscles in place and give significantly more definition. Although you don’t always notice them because they do not have the shapes like the rectus abdominis muscles, the “ideal belly” tends to have strong, defined obliques that highlight the shape of the rectus abdominis.
- Internal Obliques – Like the external obliques, the internal obliques are on the sides of the rectus abdominus muscles. Some of these muscles are visible and contribute to definition. The internal obliques extend all the way to the pelvis, while the external obliques end at roughly the middle of the last row of rectus abdominis tendinious intersections.
Of course, your abdomen is much more than that. Your abdomen houses your umbilicus (belly button/naval), which is a scar that is left over from your umbilical cord. The purpose of your abdominal muscles is also to protect all of the organs in that area of the body, from your stomach to your intestines to your liver, kidneys, and more. But in the world of aesthetics, the abdomen generally refers to the muscles of the belly, the amount of fat, tissues, and skin in the belly, and to a lesser extent the shape and look of the belly button.
Contact Dr. Agha Today – The Leading Orange County Plastic Surgeon
Every patient is different, and every body is different. Beauty is created by carefully analyzing the form, and crafting a look that is based on how to maximize aesthetic appeal with that form. But understanding more about the abdomen, and what creates abdominal beauty, can help you decide on the final look you’d like to achieve. Call Dr. Agha today at to set up a consultation to determine what would be best for your abdomen plastic surgery needs.
Orange County plastic surgeons like Dr. Agha see hundreds of patients struggling with the look of their abdomen and seeking out a tummy tuck, liposuction, CoolSculpting, and many of the other cosmetic surgery procedures used to address fat, skin, and tissues in the abdomen.
