Life Science Encyclopedia

The transversalis fascia (or transverse fascia) is a thin aponeurotic membrane which lies between the inner surface of the Transversus and the extraperitoneal fat.

It forms part of the general layer of fascia lining the abdominal parietes, and is directly continuous with the iliac and pelvic fasciae.

In the inguinal region, the transversalis fascia is thick and dense in structure and is joined by fibers from the aponeurosis of the Transversus, but it becomes thin as it ascends to the diaphragm, and blends with the fascia covering the under surface of this muscle.

Borders

Behind, it is lost in the fat which covers the posterior surfaces of the kidneys.

Below, it has the following attachments: posteriorly, to the whole length of the iliac crest, between the attachments of the Transversus and Iliacus; between the anterior superior iliac spine and the femoral vessels it is connected to the posterior margin of the inguinal ligament, and is there continuous with the iliac fascia.

Medial to the femoral vessels it is thin and attached to the pubis and pectineal line, behind the inguinal aponeurotic falx, with which it is united; it descends in front of the femoral vessels to form the anterior wall of the femoral sheath.

Beneath the inguinal ligament it is strengthened by a band of fibrous tissue, which is only loosely connected to the ligament, and is specialized as the deep crural arch.

Opening

The spermatic cord in the male and the round ligament of the uterus in the female pass through the transversalis fascia at a spot called the deep inguinal ring.

This opening is not visible externally, since the transversalis fascia is prolonged on these structures as the internal spermatic fascia.

Additional images

This article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained herein may be outdated. Please edit the article if this is the case, and feel free to remove this notice when it is no longer relevant.