Layers of Anterior Abdominal wall

Question 1

Superficial fascia

Answer 1

Divided into:

1) Camper’s fascia (outer)
2) Scarpa’s fascia (inner)

Question 2

Camper’s fascia

Answer 2

• Fatty fascia
• Continuous with:
  1) Superficial fascia of thigh
  2) Superficial fascia of penis
  3) Dartos fascia (males)
  4) Perineum and labium majora (females)

Question 3

Scarpa’s fascia

Answer 3

• Membranous fascia
• Continuous with:
  1) Fascia lata of thigh
  2) Superficial ligaments of penis
  3) Colle’s fascia (male)
  4) Perineum and labium majora (females)

Question 4

Layers of Lateral Abdominal wall

Answer 4

Deep to superficial:

1) Parietal peritoneum (thin serous membrane, lining abdominal wall)
2) Extraperitoneal fascia (contains various amounts of fats)
3) Tranversalis fascia (thick layer of investing fascia)
4) Transversus abdominis
5) Deep investing fascia
6) Transversus abdominis
7) Middle investing fascia
8) Internal oblique muscle
9) Superficial investing fascia
10) External oblique muscle
11) Superficial fascia (Scarpa’s and Camper’s)
12) Skin

Question 5

Rectus Sheath Overview

Answer 5

• Formed by aponeuroses of external oblique, internal oblique and transversus abdominis
• Envelops:
  1) Rectus abdominis
  2) Pyramidalis
  3) Superior and inferior epigastric vessels
  4) Distal portions of thoracoabdominal nerves
  5) Corresponding lymphatics

Question 6

Rectus Sheath SUPERIOR to arcuate line

Answer 6

Composed of:

1) Anterior wall – external oblique aponeurosis and anterior laminae of internal oblique aponeurosis
2) Posterior wall – posterior laminae of internal oblique aponeurosis and transversus abdominis aponeurosis

Question 7

Rectus Sheath INFERIOR to arcuate line

Answer 7

Composed of:

1) Anterior wall – all aponeuroses (external oblique, internal oblique and transversus abdominis)
2) Posterior wall – NO APONEUROSIS (only transversalis fascia; weaker)

Question 8

Linea alba

Answer 8

• Formed from interlacing fibres of anterolateral muscles in midline
• Avascular (no blood supply)
• Collagenous structure
• Extends from xiphoid to pubic crest