WHAT IS IT?
Diastasis recti is a separation of the rectus abdominis muscle causing stretching of the linea alba, a band of connective tissue in the abdominal midline. It is formed by the right and left attachments of the abdominal muscles (the external and internal obliques, the transversus abdominis and the rectus abdominis) and spans vertically from the xiphoid process to the pubic bone. A separation can occur along the linea alba’s entire length, just above, or just below the umbilicus. When it occurs, a bulge may be seen in the midline and the abdominal content can sometimes be palpated through the gap. Commonly, diastasis recti is considered when the separation between the muscles is over 2.5cm. This distance is usually measured using finger width (number of fingers necessary to fill the space), but ultrasound or a measuring tape may also be used.