Anterolateral abdomen + inguinal region

• Anterolateral muscles form a firm, flexible wall that contains abdominal viscera inside the cavity. Barrier protecting viscera from injury. Rotation and flexion of trunk when contracting unilaterally. Contraction increases intraabdominal pressure to help forced expiration and voiding
• Voiding = urination
• Flat: external oblique, internal oblique, transversus abdominis. Vertical: rectum andominis and pyramidalis
• Xyphoid process is a small cartilage extension at the base of the sternum, where recrus abdominis inserts
• Rectus abdominis and pyramidalis are enclosed by the rectum sheath. Formed by the aponeuroses of the flat muscle.
• Organisation of rectum sheath changes at arcuate line, midway between umbilicus and public symphysis
• Anterior rami of t7-12 + L1 supply anterolateral muscles. Terminate at skin
• Nerves of body wall travel between middle and deepest muscular layers, accompanied by segmental arteries and veins. In anterior part, abdo wall nerves and vessels lie in subcutaneous tissue
• Inguinal region located at Junction of anterior abdominal wall and thigh. Lateral to public region. Contains deep ring of inguinal canal. Weakness caused by developmental changes
• Ligaments attached ovaries to uterus to prevent descent past pelvic brim. Round ligament passes through inguinal canal to labium majora
• Inguinal canal is a slit-like passage parallel to inguinal ligament. Males spermatic cord, females round ligament (remnant of gubernaculum). Bordered by deep and superficial inguinal rings
• Internal oblique muscle reinforces the deep inguinal ring and provides cremasteric (protective) layer