- Rectus sheath: aponeurotic sheath enclosing rectus abdominis (and pyramidalis, if present) on either side of the linea alba.
- Formed from aponeuroses of the anterior abdominal wall's flat muscles.
- Functions:
- Checks bowing of rectus abdominis on contraction, raising its efficiency
- Maintains the strength of the anterior abdominal wall
Features
- Two walls: anterior wall, complete throughout the muscle's length, and posterior wall, deficient above the costal margin and below the arcuate line.
anterior and posterior walls of the rectus sheath, sagittal section Anterior and posterior walls of the rectus sheath, sagittal section.