Transversus Abdominis

Written by Aren Mnatzakanian

Last updated April 8, 2024 • 7 Revisions •

The transversus abdominis is a muscle of the anterior abdominal wall. It is the deepest of the flat abdominal wall muscles.

  • Attachments: Originates from the inguinal ligament, costal cartilages 7-12, the iliac crest and thoracolumbar fascia. It inserts onto the conjoint tendon, xiphoid process, linea alba and the pubic crest.
  • Actions: Compression of abdominal contents.
  • Innervation: Thoracoabdominal nerves (T7-T11), subcostal nerve (T12) and branches of the lumbar plexus.
  • Blood supply: Lower posterior intercostal and subcostal arteries, superior and inferior epigastric arteries, superficial and deep circumflex arteries, posterior lumbar arteries.

Fig 1
The muscles of the anterolateral abdominal wall. Note how the flat muscles form aponeuroses medially.

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