rectus sheath

Introduction

The strong incomplete fibrous compartment of the rectus abdominis & pyramidalis muscle.

• Formed by the interweaving of the aponeurosis of the flat abdominal muscle
• The superior 2/3s of the aponeurosis of internal oblique splits into 2 layers(laminae) - anterior & posterior lamina.
• The fibers of the anterior & posterior layers of the sheath interlace in the anterior median line to form linea alba.

More general terms

• sheath

Additional terms

• aponeurosis of external oblique muscle
• aponeurosis of internal oblique muscle
• arcuate line of rectus sheath (Douglas line, semicircular line)