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From the Research
Anatomy of the Abdominal Wall
The abdominal wall is composed of multiple layers, with the anterior abdominal wall consisting of three layers:
- Skin and adipose tissues
- The myofascial layer
- The deep layer, consisting of the transversalis fascia, preperitoneal fat, and the parietal peritoneum 1 Alternatively, it is also described as being composed of nine abdominal layers, including fascias, muscles, nerves, and vessels 2
Layers of the Abdominal Wall
The layers of the abdominal wall include:
- Superficial and extra peritoneal planes: skin, fat, and muscles 3
- The myofascial layer, which includes the external oblique muscle, the internal oblique muscle, and the transversus abdominis muscle
- The deep layer, which includes the transversalis fascia, preperitoneal fat, and the parietal peritoneum 1
Vascular Anatomy
The abdominal wall is supplied by many superficial and deep vessels and their anastomoses, with anatomical variations of these vessels often presented 2 The vascular anatomy of the abdominal wall is fundamental for abdominal surgery, and sound knowledge of it is a prerequisite for favorable patient care 2
Changes in the Abdominal Wall
Changes in the abdominal wall can occur after component separation, including displacement of the external oblique muscle and shifts in the transversus abdominis muscle 4 The anatomy and physiology of abdominal wall muscles are preserved mainly by the muscles' overlapping function and their ability to undergo compensatory trophism after midline restoration (reloading) 4
Comparison with Animal Species
The anatomy of the abdominal wall differs between animal species, with the pig being recommended for simulation-based training of the transversus abdominis plane block due to its closely homologous abdominal wall structure 5 The mammalian abdominal wall follows a similar framework, but with particular differences among mammals, including the additional muscular layer of the panniculus carnosus and variable arterial origins and dominant vascular supply of the abdominal wall 5