3.2.5. ANATOMY - Abdominal wall, testic, spermatic cord Flashcards
How does the rectus sheath differ above and below the arcuate line? Why do we care?
From the arcuate line inferiorly, the internal oblique aponeurosis no longer divides to form both an anterior leaf and a posterior leaf, of the rectus sheath. Instead, as one goes toward the pubis, all layers of the rectus sheath except for the transversalis fascial layer are now anterior to the rectus muscle (GA p 107, 109; N 245, 246). This has implications on the etiology (origin) and repair of some hernias. Hernias are abnormal openings in the musculofascial layer through which viscera can protrude. They can be dangerous to the patient since a viscus (e.g., a segment of intestine) can become caught within the hernia and its blood supply can be twisted (so-called strangulation-obstruction) – this can be rapidly lethal if the viscus perforates.