Fasciae and Ligaments of the Anterior Abdominal Wall

• Are organized into superficial (tela subcutanea) and deep layers; the superficial layer has a thin fatty (Camper's fascia ), and the deep layer has a membranous layer (Scarpa's fascia ).

Superficial fascia

Superficial layer of the superficial fascia (Camper's fascia)

• Continues over the inguinal ligament to merge with the superficial fascia of the thigh.
• Continues over the pubis and perineum as the superficial layer of the superficial perineal fascia.

Deep layer of the superficial fascia (Scarpa's fascia)

• Is attached to the fascia lata just below the inguinal ligament.
• Continues over the pubis and perineum as the membranous layer (Colles' fascia ) of the superficial perin fascia.
• Continues over the penis as the superficial fascia of the penis and over the scrotum as the tunica darto which contains smooth muscle.
• May contain extravasated urine between this fascia and the deep fascia of the abdomen, resulting from rupture of the spongy urethra.

Deep fascia

• Covers the muscles and continues over the spermatic cord at the superficial inguinal ring as the external spermatic fascia.

• Is a tendinous median raphe between the two rectus abdominis muscles, extending from the xiphoid process to the pubic symphysis.
• Is formed by the fusion of the aponeuroses of the external oblique, internal oblique, and transverse muscle to the abdomen.

• Is a curved line along the lateral border of the rectus abdominis.

• Is a crescent-shaped line marking the inferior limit of the posterior layer of the rectus sheath just below level of the iliac crest.

• Represents the medial triangular expansion of the inguinal ligament to the pectineal line of the pubis.
• Forms the medial border of the femoral ring and the floor of the inguinal canal.

• Is a strong fibrous band that extends laterally from the lacunar ligament along the pectineal line

• Is the folded lower border of the aponeurosis of the external oblique muscle, extending between the anterior superior iliac spine and the pubic tubercle.
• Forms the floor (inferior wall) of the inguinal canal.

• Is a fascial partition that separates the muscular (lateral) and vascular (medial) lacunae deep to the inguinal ligament.
• The muscular lacuna transmits the iliopsoas muscle.
• The vascular lacuna transmits the femoral sheath and its contents, including the femoral vessels, a femoral branch of the genitofemoral nerve, and the femoral canal.

• Is formed by certain fibers of the inguinal ligament reflected from the pubic tubercle upward toward the linea alba.
• Also has some reflection from the lacunar ligament.

• Is formed by the aponeuroses of the internal oblique and transverse muscles of the abdomen and is into the pubic tubercle.
• Strengthens the posterior wall of the medial half of the inguinal canal.

Rectus sheath

• Is formed by fusion of the aponeuroses of the external oblique, internal oblique, and transverse muscle of the abdomen.
• Encloses the rectus abdominis and sometimes the pyramidal muscle.
• Also contains the superior and inferior epigastric vessels and the ventral primary rami of thoracic nerves
  

• Above the arcuate line: aponeuroses of the external and internal oblique muscles.
• Below the arcuate line: aponeuroses of the external oblique, internal oblique, and transverse muscles

• Above the arcuate line: aponeuroses of the internal oblique and transverse muscles.
• Below the arcuate line: rectus abdominis is in contact with the transversalis fascia.