Dissection of anterolateral abdominal wall

Superficial vessels and nerves; Scarpa's fascia; external oblique muscles and fascia

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Image #133-1

Dissection of anterolateral abdominal wall

Superficial vessels and nerves; Scarpa's fascia; external oblique muscles and fascia

The left half of the specimen has been dissected to demonstrate the investing fascia (11) of the external oblique muscle and Scarpa's fascia (14). The latter is identifiable as a distinct layer of deep within the tela subcutanea in the lower part of the abdominal wall. On the right side of the specimen the fascia of the external oblique has been removed. Cutaneous nerves and vessels have been preserved bilaterally.

1. External oblique muscle
2. Lateral cutaneus branch intercostal nerve IX
3. Upper pointer: Anterior cutaneus branch intercostal nerve X Lower pointer: Umbilicus
4. Iliac crest
5. Anterior superior iliac spine
6. Aponeurosis external oblique muscle
7. Inguinal ligament
8. Fascia lata
9. Superficial inguinal lymph nodes
10. Superficial fascia
11. Fascia of external oblique muscle
12. Rectus abdominis muscle (visible through sheath of rectus)
13. Linea alba
14. Scarpa's fascia
15. Branch of superficial circumflex iliac artery
16. Superficial epigastric artery and vein