Human Anatomy - Kotsan I. Y. 2009

Muscles and Fasciae of the Trunk
Fasciae and Topography of the Abdominal Walls

Among the abdominal fasciae, three main types are distinguished: the superficial fascia, the proper (or deep) fascia, and the endoabdominal fascia.

The superficial fascia (fascia superficialis) is located beneath the Skin. In the upper portion of the abdominal wall it is thin, but it thickens considerably downward. Along the midline, the superficial fascia fuses with the linea alba, and inferiorly with the inguinal ligament. In the lower region, above the Pubic Symphysis, thickened fibers of the superficial fascia form dense cords known as the ligaments of the Penis. There are two of them: the fundiform ligament of the penis and the suspensory ligament of the penis (in women, the suspensory ligament of the Clitoris). The fundiform ligament of the penis (lig. fundiforme penis) originates from the linea alba and the pubic symphysis, dividing into two crura that embrace the penis on both sides and blend into its tunica albuginea. The suspensory ligament of the penis (lig. suspensorium penis) (in women, the suspensory ligament of the clitoris (lig. suspensorium clitoridis)) extends from the pubic symphysis to the dorsal surface of the penis (clitoris), where it attaches to the deep Fascia of the organ.

The proper fascia of the abdomen (fascia propria abdominis) consists of three layers: the superficial layer, which covers the anterior surface of the external oblique Muscle of the abdomen; the middle layer, located between the external and internal oblique Muscles of the abdomen; and the deep layer, situated between the internal oblique and transverse Abdominal muscles.

The endoabdominal fascia (fascia endoabdominalis) lines the abdominal walls from the inside. Topographically, the following parts are distinguished within it: the phrenic fascia, which lines the Inferior surface of the Diaphragm; the quadratus fascia, which covers the anterior aspect of the quadratus lumborum muscle; the iliac fascia, which covers the psoas muscle and extends along its course into the greater pelvis onto The surface of the iliac muscle; and the transversalis fascia, which is the largest part of the endoabdominal fascia, covering the internal surface of the transverse abdominal muscle and the inner surface of the posterior layer of the rectus sheath. In the umbilical region, the transversalis fascia is denser and is referred to as the umbilical fascia.