Orris
attachment
attachment

Posterior abdominal wall Same like anterior abdominal wall

Reading File
Finding Sources
Finding Sources
Reading File
Reading File
Reading File
Reading File
Loading Image
Loading Image
Here are your Personal Notes for the Posterior Abdominal Wall, structured exactly like your anterior wall notes:

Personal Notes - Posterior Abdominal Wall

Layers / Components (from back → front)

  • Skin
  • Superficial fascia (subcutaneous fat)
  • Thoracolumbar (Lumbodorsal) fascia - 3 layers:
    • Posterior lamella (covers erector spinae)
    • Middle lamella (between erector spinae & quadratus lumborum)
    • Anterior lamella (covers ventral surface of quadratus lumborum)
  • Muscles (4 key muscles):
    • Psoas major (+ psoas minor)
    • Iliacus
    • Quadratus lumborum
    • Erector spinae (sacrospinalis)
  • Transversalis fascia
  • Retroperitoneal (extraperitoneal) fat
  • Parietal peritoneum
  • Abdominal cavity

Bony Framework

  • Medially - 5 lumbar vertebrae + sacrum
  • Superiorly - ribs XI and XII (floating ribs)
  • Laterally - iliac fossae (ilium)
  • Inferiorly - pelvic brim

Quick Comparison Table

LayerAnterior WallPosterior Wall
Skin✓ Skin✓ Skin
Superficial fasciaCamper's + Scarpa'sSingle layer (no named divisions)
MusclesExternal oblique, Internal oblique, Transversus abdominis, Rectus abdominisPsoas, Iliacus, Quadratus lumborum, Erector spinae
Deep fasciaFascia transversalisThoracolumbar fascia (3 layers)
Behind fasciaExtraperitoneal fatRetroperitoneal fat
InnermostPeritoneumParietal peritoneum

Diagrams

Bony framework:
Osteology of the Posterior Abdominal Wall - Lumbar vertebrae, ribs XI-XII, ilium, sacrum
Muscles:
Muscles of the Posterior Abdominal Wall - Psoas major/minor, Quadratus lumborum, Iliacus, Transversus abdominis

Key Points to Remember

  1. No Camper's/Scarpa's fascia - the posterior wall has a single, simple superficial fascia (no two named layers like anteriorly)
  2. Thoracolumbar fascia replaces fascia transversalis as the main deep fascia - it has 3 distinct lamellae that merge laterally into one sheet
  3. No rectus sheath - there is no equivalent to the anterior rectus sheath or linea alba
  4. Retroperitoneal space (not just "extraperitoneal fat") - this space contains the kidneys, ureters, aorta, IVC, and adrenal glands
  5. Diaphragm forms the superior boundary - it is the "roof" of the posterior abdominal wall
Sources: Gray's Anatomy for Students, p. 429-430; Campbell-Walsh-Wein Urology, p. 2218-2219

Posterior abdominal wall and anterior abdominal wall Diagrams

Finding Sources
Finding Sources
Reading File
Reading File
Reading File
Reading File
Loading Image
Loading Image
Loading Image
Loading Image
Loading Image
Loading Image
Here are all the diagrams for both walls, organized clearly:

ANTERIOR ABDOMINAL WALL - Diagrams

1. Cross-Section - Layers of the Anterior Abdominal Wall

(Above umbilicus - shows all layers from skin to peritoneum)
Cross-section of anterior abdominal wall showing all layers: skin, fatty layer (Camper's), membranous layer (Scarpa's), external oblique, internal oblique, transversus abdominis, transversalis fascia, preperitoneal space, parietal peritoneum, rectus abdominis, linea alba

2. Anterior View + Transverse Section at L3 - Arrangement of All Muscles & Rectus Sheath

Anterior view of abdominal wall muscles (External oblique, Internal oblique, Transversus abdominis, Rectus abdominis) and transverse cross-section at L3 showing rectus sheath, thoracolumbar fascia, psoas major, transversalis fascia, parietal peritoneum

3. Anterolateral Muscles - External Oblique, Inguinal Region

Anterolateral abdominal wall showing external oblique aponeurosis, inguinal ligament, superficial inguinal ring, and deep rectus abdominis/internal oblique layers with linea alba

4. Straight (Anterior) Muscles - Rectus Abdominis, Arcuate Line, Transversalis Fascia

Anterior straight abdominal muscles: rectus abdominis with tendinous intersections, pyramidalis, linea alba, arcuate line, transversalis fascia, semilunar line, deep inguinal ring

POSTERIOR ABDOMINAL WALL - Diagrams

5. Bony Framework - Osteology of the Posterior Abdominal Wall

Osteology of posterior abdominal wall: Lumbar vertebrae (L1-L5), ribs XI and XII, iliac crest, ilium, sacrum, ischium, pubic symphysis, ASIS

6. Muscles of the Posterior Abdominal Wall

Posterior abdominal wall muscles: Psoas major, Psoas minor, Iliacus, Quadratus lumborum, with lumbar vessels and transversus abdominis visible laterally
Quick diagram reference:
DiagramWhat it shows
1Cross-section layers (anterior) - skin to peritoneum
2All anterior muscles + transverse section at L3
3Anterolateral muscles, inguinal region
4Rectus abdominis, arcuate line, transversalis fascia
5Bony framework (posterior)
6Muscles of posterior wall (psoas, iliacus, QL)
Sources: THIEME Atlas of Anatomy - General Anatomy & Musculoskeletal System; Gray's Anatomy for Students; Gray's Anatomy for Students p. 429-430
This is a shared conversation. Sign in to Orris to start your own chat.