The transversalis fascia (or transverse fascia) is a thin
aponeurotic
An aponeurosis (; plural: ''aponeuroses'') is a type or a variant of the deep fascia, in the form of a sheet of pearly-white fibrous tissue that attaches sheet-like muscles needing a wide area of attachment. Their primary function is to join muscl ...
membrane of the
abdomen
The abdomen (colloquially called the belly, tummy, midriff, tucky or stomach) is the part of the body between the thorax (chest) and pelvis, in humans and in other vertebrates. The abdomen is the front part of the abdominal segment of the to ...
. It lies between the inner surface of the
transverse abdominal muscle
The transverse abdominal muscle (TVA), also known as the transverse abdominis, transversalis muscle and transversus abdominis muscle, is a muscle layer of the anterior and lateral (front and side) abdominal wall which is deep to (layered below) th ...
and the
parietal peritoneum
The peritoneum is the serous membrane forming the lining of the abdominal cavity or coelom in amniotes and some invertebrates, such as annelids. It covers most of the intra-abdominal (or coelomic) organs, and is composed of a layer of mesothel ...
.
It forms part of the general layer of
fascia lining the abdominal
parietes. It is directly continuous with the
iliac fascia
The iliac fascia, or Abernethy's fascia, is a fascia in the region of the ilium of the pelvis.
It has the following connections:
* ''laterally'', to the whole length of the inner lip of the iliac crest.
* ''medially'', to the linea terminalis of ...
, the
internal spermatic fascia
The internal spermatic fascia (infundibuliform fascia, or Le deuxième fascia de Webster) is a thin layer, which loosely invests the spermatic cord.
Structure
The internal spermatic fascia is derived from the transversalis fascia. It is acquir ...
, and
pelvic fasciae.
Structure
In the
inguinal region, the transversalis fascia is thick and dense. It is joined by fibers from the aponeurosis of the
transverse abdominal muscle
The transverse abdominal muscle (TVA), also known as the transverse abdominis, transversalis muscle and transversus abdominis muscle, is a muscle layer of the anterior and lateral (front and side) abdominal wall which is deep to (layered below) th ...
. It becomes thin as it ascends to the
diaphragm and blends with the fascia covering the under surface of this muscle. It is directly continuous with the
iliac fascia
The iliac fascia, or Abernethy's fascia, is a fascia in the region of the ilium of the pelvis.
It has the following connections:
* ''laterally'', to the whole length of the inner lip of the iliac crest.
* ''medially'', to the linea terminalis of ...
, the
internal spermatic fascia
The internal spermatic fascia (infundibuliform fascia, or Le deuxième fascia de Webster) is a thin layer, which loosely invests the spermatic cord.
Structure
The internal spermatic fascia is derived from the transversalis fascia. It is acquir ...
, and
pelvic fasciae.
Borders
Behind, it is lost in the fat which covers the posterior surfaces of the
kidneys
The kidneys are two reddish-brown bean-shaped organs found in vertebrates. They are located on the left and right in the retroperitoneal space, and in adult humans are about in length. They receive blood from the paired renal arteries; bloo ...
.
Below, it has the following attachments: posteriorly, to the whole length of the
iliac crest
The crest of the ilium (or iliac crest) is the superior border of the wing of ilium and the superiolateral margin of the greater pelvis.
Structure
The iliac crest stretches posteriorly from the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) to the poster ...
, between the attachments of the transverse abdominal and
Iliacus
The iliacus is a flat, triangular muscle which fills the iliac fossa. It forms the lateral portion of iliopsoas, providing flexion of the thigh and lower limb at the acetabulofemoral joint.
Structure
The iliacus arises from the iliac fossa on ...
; between the
anterior superior iliac spine
The anterior superior iliac spine (abbreviated: ASIS) is a bony projection of the iliac bone, and an important landmark of surface anatomy. It refers to the anterior extremity of the iliac crest of the pelvis. It provides attachment for the ing ...
and the
femoral vessel
The femoral vessels are those blood vessels passing through the femoral ring into the femoral canal thereby passing down the length of the thigh until behind the knee. These large vessel are the:
* Femoral artery (also known in this location a ...
s it is connected to the posterior margin of the
inguinal ligament, and is there continuous with the
iliac fascia
The iliac fascia, or Abernethy's fascia, is a fascia in the region of the ilium of the pelvis.
It has the following connections:
* ''laterally'', to the whole length of the inner lip of the iliac crest.
* ''medially'', to the linea terminalis of ...
.
Medial to the femoral vessels it is thin and attached to the
pubis and
pectineal line, behind the
inguinal falx
The conjoint tendon (previously known as the inguinal aponeurotic falx) is a sheath of connective tissue formed from the lower part of the common aponeurosis of the abdominal internal oblique muscle and the transversus abdominis muscle, joining th ...
, with which it is united; it descends in front of the femoral vessels to form the anterior wall of the
femoral sheath
The femoral sheath (also called the crural sheath) is a funnel-shaped downward extension of abdominal fascia within which the femoral artery and femoral vein pass between the abdomen and the thigh. The femoral sheath is subdivided by two vertical ...
.
Beneath the inguinal ligament it is strengthened by a band of fibrous tissue, which is only loosely connected to the ligament, and is specialized as the
iliopubic tract
The iliopubic tract is a thickened band of fibers curving over the external iliac vessels, at the spot where they become femoral, on the abdominal side of the inguinal ligaments and loosely connected with it. It is apparently a thickening of the t ...
.
Opening
The
spermatic cord
The spermatic cord is the cord-like structure in males formed by the vas deferens (''ductus deferens'') and surrounding tissue that runs from the deep inguinal ring down to each testicle. Its serosal covering, the tunica vaginalis, is an exten ...
in the male and the
round ligament of the uterus
The round ligament of the uterus is a ligament that connects the uterus to the labia majora.
Structure
The round ligament of the uterus originates at the uterine horns, in the parametrium. The round ligament exits the pelvis via the deep inguina ...
in the female pass through the transversalis fascia at the
deep inguinal ring
The inguinal canals are the two passages in the anterior abdominal wall of humans and animals which in males convey the spermatic cords and in females the round ligament of the uterus. The inguinal canals are larger and more prominent in males. ...
, the entrance to the
inguinal canal
The inguinal canals are the two passages in the anterior abdominal wall of humans and animals which in males convey the spermatic cords and in females the round ligament of the uterus. The inguinal canals are larger and more prominent in males. ...
. This opening is not visible externally. In the male, the transverse fascia extends downwards as the
internal spermatic fascia
The internal spermatic fascia (infundibuliform fascia, or Le deuxième fascia de Webster) is a thin layer, which loosely invests the spermatic cord.
Structure
The internal spermatic fascia is derived from the transversalis fascia. It is acquir ...
.
Additional images
File:Rectus abdominis muscle 2.jpg, Transversalis fascia
File:Gray399.svg, Diagram of sheath of Rectus.
File:Gray400.png, Diagram of a transverse section through the anterior abdominal wall, below the linea semicircularis.
File:Gray547.png, Gray547.png
References
External links
* - "Layers of the anterior wall."
* - "Inguinal Region, Scrotum and Testes: The
Inguinal canal
The inguinal canals are the two passages in the anterior abdominal wall of humans and animals which in males convey the spermatic cords and in females the round ligament of the uterus. The inguinal canals are larger and more prominent in males. ...
"
* (look for #2)
*
{{Authority control
Abdomen
Fascia