[Plate 330, Schematic Cross Section of Abdomen at L3, 4]Anterolateral Abdominal Wall
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Fascial layers
Superficial fascia: two layers in abdomen
Fatty superficial layer (Camper's fascia)
Deeper membranous layer (Scarper's fascia)
Deep fascia-a very thin layer investing the most superficial muscles.
Transversalis fascia (endoabdominal fascia)
A thin membranous sheet lining most of the abdominal wall
Lies deep to the transversus muscles and the linea alba
Endoabdominal fat separates the transversalis fascia from the parietal peritoneum
Muscles
Functions
Protect the viscera
Help maintain posture
Can compress the abdominal contents, thus raising intra-abdominal pressure, such as in sneezing, coughing, defecating,
micturating, lifting, and childbirth
Four paired muscles make up the anterolateral abdominal wall
Three flat muscles
A single vertical muscle.
Three flat muscles include
The external abdominal oblique
a. Largest and most superficial
b. Fibers run inferiorly and medially and end in aponeurosis that contributes to the rectus sheath.
c. Inferior border of its aponeurosis forms the inguinal ligament, where it thickens and folds back on itself
d. Innervated segmentally by T6-T12 spinal nerves and subcostal nerve
The internal abdominal oblique
a. A thin muscular layer
b. Fibers run inferiorly and laterally and end in an aponeurosis that contributes to the rectus sheath
c. Inferior aponeurotic fibers join with those of the rectus abdominis to form the conjoint tendon, inserting onto the pubic
crest