Bassett Collection Large Image - Lane Medical Library, Stanford University Medical Center

For permissions information regarding the use of these images, please contact Drew Bourn at dbourn@stanford.edu

Dissection of anterolateral abdominal wall

General view of nerves and blood vessels of left rectus abdominis muscle

Both rectus muscles have been exposed within their sheaths. The left rectus has been reflected medially to expose its posterior surface

1 .	External oblique muscle
2 .	Right rectus abdominis muscle (exposed by removal of anterior layer of rectus sheath)
3 .	Left rectus abdominis muscle (reflected medially)
4 .	Inferior epigastric artery and vein
5 .	Iliac crest
6 .	Inguinal ligament
7 .	Pyramidalis muscle
8 .	Superior epigastric artery and vein
9 .	Intercostal nerve VII
10 .	Sheath of rectus abdominis muscle (posterior layer)
11 .	Intercostal nerve X
12 .	Transversus abdominis muscle
13 .	Intercostal nerve XI
14 .	Internal oblique muscle (muscle belly excised between areas indicated by pointers)
15 .	Deep circumflex iliac artery (ascending branch)
16 .	Transversalis fascia