Final answer:
The muscles that compress the abdominal organs are the external obliques, internal obliques, transversus abdominis, and rectus abdominis. They make up the anterior and lateral walls of the abdomen and play a role in trunk movements and organ compression.
Step-by-step explanation:
The four muscles that compress the abdominal contents are the external obliques, the internal obliques, the transversus abdominis, and the rectus abdominis. These muscles form the anterior and lateral walls of the abdominal region and work synergistically to compress the abdominal organs, support the trunk, and contribute to various movements.
The external obliques lie superficially and their fibers run medially and inferiorly, similar to sliding four fingers into a pocket. Below them, the internal obliques run at a perpendicular angle, and the transversus abdominis, the deepest of the flat muscles, arranges its fibers horizontally like a belt. Centrally located, the rectus abdominis extends along the length of the trunk, enclosed in the rectus sheath, and is segmented by a long tendon known as the linea alba.