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Rectus sheath (diagram)

Case contributed by Craig Hacking
Diagnosis not applicable
Diagram

Diagrams of the rectus sheath above and below the arcuate line.

Case Discussion

Above the arcuate line:

  • the anterior layer of the rectus sheath is composed of the external oblique aponeurosis and the anterior half of the internal oblique aponeurosis
  • the posterior layer of the rectus sheath is composed of the posterior half of the internal oblique aponeurosis and the transversus abdominis aponeurosis

Below the arcuate line:

  • the anterior rectus sheath is composed of all the layers of the external oblique, internal oblique and transversus abdominis aponeuroses
  • the posterior layer of the rectus sheath is absent

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