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Rectus sheath
Latin	vagina musculi recti abdominis
Gray's	subject #118 416

The Rectus sheath is formed by the aponeuroses of the Obliqui and Transversus. It contains the Rectus abdominis and Pyramidalis muscles.

It can be divided into anterior and posterior laminae.

The arrangement of the layers has important variations at different locations in the body.

Below the costal margin

For context, above the sheath are the following three layers:

1. superficial fascia
2. Camper's fascia
3. Scarpa's fascia

Within the sheath, the layers vary:

Region	Illustration	Description
Above the umbilicus		At the lateral margin of the Rectus, the aponeurosis of the Obliquus internus divides into two lamellae: one of which passes in front of the Rectus, blending with the aponeurosis of the Obliquus externus. the other, behind it, blending with the aponeurosis of the Transversus, and these, joining again at the medial border of the Rectus, are inserted into the linea alba.
Below the arcuate line		Below this level, the aponeuroses of all three muscles (including the internus) pass in front of the Rectus.

Below the sheath are the following three layers:

1. transversalis fascia
2. extraperitoneal fat
3. parietal peritoneum

The Rectus, in the situation where its sheath is deficient below, is separated from the peritoneum only by the transversalis fascia, in contrast to the upper layers, where part of the internal oblique also runs beneath the rectus. Because of the thinner layers below, this region is more susceptible to herniation.

Above the costal margin

Since the tendons of the Obliquus internus and Transversus only reach as high as the costal margin, it follows that above this level the sheath of the Rectus is deficient behind, the muscle resting directly on the cartilages of the ribs, and being covered merely by the tendon of the Obliquus externus.

Additional images

The Cremaster

The interfoveolar ligament, seen from in front.

References

External links

• SUNY Figs 35:04-02 - "Incisions and the contents of the rectus sheath."
• SUNY Labs 35:10-0103 - "Anterior Abdominal Wall: The Rectus Abdominis Muscle"
• SUNY Anatomy Image 7180 - anterior layer
• SUNY Anatomy Image 7133 - posterior layer above arcuate line
• SUNY Anatomy Image 7574 - posterior layer above arcuate line
• Norman/Georgetown rectussheath
• Atlas of anatomy at UMich abdo_wall60 - "The Rectus Sheath, Anterior View & Transverse Section"
• Anatomy at MUN digest/abwall

This article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained herein may be outdated. Please edit the article if this is the case, and feel free to remove this notice when it is no longer relevant.

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• This page was last modified on 12 October 2008, at 04:01.

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