Anterior abdominal wall

Layers of Anterior Abdominal Wall In human anatomy, the layers of the abdominal wall are (from superficial to deep): Skin Fascia Camper's fascia - fatty superficial layer. Scarpa's fascia - deep fibrous layer. Muscle -Rectus abdominis -External oblique muscle -Internal oblique muscle -Transverse abdominal muscle Pyramidalis muscle Cremasteric Fascia transversalis Parital Peritoneum

Fascia of Ant. Abdominal Wall 1- there is no deep fascia 2-the superficial fascia is formed of a single layer above the ambilicus , but below the ambilicus it differentiated into 2 layers: a- superficial fatty layer (Camper’s fascia) - contains variable amount of fat . b- deep membranes layer (Scarpa’s fascia) -continuous with the superficil perineal fascia (colle’s fascia)

Linea Alba An extensive aponeurosis which extend from the xiphoid process to the symphsis pubis . Linea Semilunaris the lateral margin of rectus abdominis is marked by a line on the anterior abdominal wall called linea semilunaris

Muscles of the anterior abdominal wall Classified into 2 groups: 1- paramedian muscles -Rectus abdominis muscle - Pyramidalis muscle 2- anterolateral flat muscles -external abdominal oblique m. -internal abdominal oblique m. -transversus abdominis m.

Abdominal external oblique muscle the largest and the most superficial of the three flat muscles of the lateral anterior abdomen.

Direction of the fibers : Origin : lower 8 ribs (outer surface) Direction of the fibers : downwards , forwards & medialy Insertion : -iliac crest ( anterior half of the outer lip) -anterior superior iliac spine -pubic tubercle -pubic crest -linea alba ………………………….

Inguinal ligament -It is the infolded lower border of the external oblique m. -The inguinal ligament runs from the anterior superior iliac spine to the pubic tubercle.

Abdominal internal oblique muscle Origin : 1- iliac crest (ant. 2/3 of its intermediate line) 2- inguinal ligament ( lateral 2/3 of its inner surface). 3- lumbar fascia . Direction of the fibers : upwards , forwards and medialy Insertion : 1- linea alba 2- lower 4 or 5 ribs 3- the lower fibers forms an arched fibers called the conjoint tendon.

Conjoint tendon -Formed by the lower arched fibers of both internal oblique and transversus abdominis muscles where the fiberous pass directly from origin to insertion -Function : The contraction of the conjoint tenden leads to closure of the inguinal canal (shutter mechanism ) -So , it prevent passage of intestine through the canal (Indirect inguinal hernia) .

Transversus abdominis muscle Origin : -the lateral third of the inner surface of inguinal ligament -anterior 2/3 of the medial lip of the iliac crest -the inner surfaces of the cartilages of the lower 8 ribs -the thoracolumbarl fascia. Direction of the fibers : -horizontaly . Insertion: a- linea alba b-the lower fibers form an arched fibers together with the lower fibers of internal oblique muscle (conjoint tendon)

Rectus abdominus m. Site : it lies in the middle part of the abdominal muscle layer inside the tendinous sheath called rectus sheath. Origin : symphysis pupis and pubic crest. Insetion: 5th, 6th & 7th costal cartilages- -The muscle is divided by 3 tendinous intersections as follows: -These tendentious intersections are present on the anterior surface of the muscle and indicate that the muscle arises from different myotomes .

Action : -flexion of the trunk . Surface anatomy : the lateral margin of rectus abdominis is marked by aline on the anterior abdominal wall called linea semilunaris .

Cremastric muscle: action: Cremastric reflex: It is formed by loops of muscle fibres from the lower part of the internal oblique it extends down through the spermatic cord & return behind it to be attached to the pupic tubercle its n. supply is the genital branch of the genitofemoral n. action: elevation of testis upwards in the cold weather. Cremastric reflex: Scratching of the upper & medial parts of the thigh (L1) leads to elevation of the testis.

Pyramidalis muscle : origin : pubic crest and symphysis pubis insertion : into the lower part of the linea alba nerve supply : subcostal nerve action : it stretches the linea alba

Action of the anterior abdominal wall muscles 1-support the viscera and keep them in their position 2-contract to increase the intra-abdominal pressure during urination and defection (mainly the trunsversus abdominis). 3-expiratory action : -the abdominal muscles contract during expiration and relax during inspiraion . 4-movement of the trunk : a-contraction of rectus abdominis muscle ……..forward flexion. b-contraction of one side of the oblique muscles ……….lateral flexion . c. combined action of external oblique with the oppisite internal oblique ……rotation of the trunk . 5- elevation of the testis ………..by the cremastric m .

Inguinal canal Definition: Openings: It is an oblique inter-muscular canal (4cm) above the medial part of the inguinal ligament. Openings: -it starts at the deep inguinal ring and ends at the superfascial inguinal ring.

a-Superfascial Inguinal Ring Site: it is a triangular or inverted V shaped opening in the external oblique aponeurosis. its margins give the external spermatic fascia to cover the spermatic cord. Surface anatomy: It lies just above the pupic tubercle. Structures passing through it: -illio-inguinal nerve. -Spermatic cord ( in male) or round ligament ( in female)

B -Deep Inguinal Ring Site: Surface anatomy: It is a small opening in the lower part of fascia transversalis. Its margins give the internal spermatic fascia to cover the spermatic cord. Surface anatomy: - It lies ½ an inch above the mid-point of the inguinal ligament. Structures passing through it: -Spermatic cord (in male) or round ligament ( in female).

Arteries of the Anterior Abdominal wall A- Above the umbilicus 1-superior epigastric artery 2-musculo-phrenic artery 3-lower two posterior intercostal and subcostal arteries

B- Below the umbilicus 1-Inferior epigastric artery 2-Deep circumflex iliac artery 3-Superficial branches of femoral artery

Veins of Anterior Abdominal Wall The anterior abdominal wall is drained by veins corresponding to the arteries

Nerves of the Anterior Abdominal Wall 1-Lower five intercostal and subcostal nerves 2-Illio-hypogastric and illio-inguinal nerves …………………..

Lymphatics of Anterior Abdominal Wall A-Above the umbilicus into pectoral lymph nodes B- Below the umbilicus into superficial inguinal lymph nodes ……………

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