Abdominal wall
Body cavities
Diagram of sheath of Rectus.
Gray's	subject #118 408

The abdominal wall represents the boundaries of the abdominal cavity. The abdominal wallis split into the posterior (back), lateral (sides) and anterior (front) walls. Image File history File links Illu_body_cavities. ... Image File history File links Gray399. ... The abdominal cavity is the cavity of the human body (and other animal bodies) that holds the bulk of the viscera and which is located below (or posterior to) the thoracic cavity. ...

There is a common set of layers covering and forming all the walls: the deepest being the extraperitoneal fat, the parietal peritoneum, and a layer of fascia which has different names over where it covers (eg transversalis, psoas fascia). In higher vertebrates, the peritoneum is the membrane that forms the lining of the abdominal cavity - it covers most of the intra-abdominal organs. ... Fascia is specialized connective tissue layer which surrounds muscles, bones, and joints, providing support and protection and giving structure to the body. ...

Superficial to these, but not present in the posterior wall are the three layers of muscle, the transversus abdominus (tranvserse abdominal muscle), the internal (obliquus internus) and the external oblique (obliquus externus). The transversus abdominis muscle, also known as the transverse abdominal muscle, is a muscle layer of the anterior and lateral abdominal wall which is deep to the internal oblique muscle. ... The internal oblique is the intermediate muscle of the abdomen, lying just underneath the external oblique and just above (superficial to) the transverse abdominal muscle. ... The Obliquus externus abdominis muscle (or external oblique) is a muscle of the human body. ...

Layers of anterior abdominal wall

In human anatomy, the layers of the abdominal wall are (from superficial to deep): Human anatomy or anthropotomy is a special field within anatomy. ...

• Skin
• Fascia
  • Camper's fascia - fatty superficial layer
  • Scarpa's fascia - deep fibrous layer
• Muscle
  • External oblique muscle
  • Internal oblique muscle
  • Transverse abdominal muscle
• Deep fascia or subserous fascia

In zootomy and dermatology, skin is an organ of the integumentary system made up of multiple layers of epithelial tissues that guard underlying muscles and organs. ... Fascia is specialized connective tissue layer which surrounds muscles, bones, and joints, providing support and protection and giving structure to the body. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Muscular system. ... The Obliquus externus abdominis (External or descending oblique muscle), situated on the lateral and anterior parts of the abdomen, is the largest and the most superficial of the three flat muscles in this region. ... The internal oblique (or Obliquus internus abdominis) is the intermediate muscle of the abdomen, lying just underneath the external oblique and just above (superficial to) the transverse abdominal muscle. ... The transversus abdominis muscle, also known as the transversalis muscle and transverse abdominal muscle, is a muscle layer of the anterior and lateral abdominal wall which is near to the internal oblique muscle. ...

Inner surface

The surface contains several ligaments separated by fossae:

Umbilical arteries carry deoxygenated blood from the fetus to the placenta in the umbilical cord. ... Inguinal hernias are the most common abdominal hernias (about 90%) and are seen most often in men. ... Inguinal hernias are the most common abdominal hernias (about 90%) and are seen most often in men. ...

See also

• Peritoneum
• Human abdomen
• Terms for anatomical location

In higher vertebrates, the peritoneum is the serous membrane that forms the lining of the abdominal cavity - it covers most of the intra-abdominal organs. ... The human abdomen (from the Latin word meaning belly) is the part of the body between the pelvis and the thorax. ... In zootomy, several terms are used to describe the location of organs and other structures in the body of bilateral animals. ...

External links

• Anatomy at MUN digest/abwall
• Norman/Georgetown skel&wallsabd - "Skeleton of the Abdomen", Wesley Norman, PhD, DSc
• MeSH Wall Abdominal Wall
• Anterolateral Abdominal Wall - University of Edinburgh Faculty of Medicine
• Muscles of the Anterior Abdominal Wall - University of Arkansas