Transversalis fascia

Last revised by Tama Robertson on 16 Apr 2023

Transversalis fascia is the lining fascia of the anterolateral abdominal wall which lies between the transversus abdominis muscle and peritoneum.

Gross anatomy

The transversalis fascia, inferior diaphragmatic fascia, pelvic fascia and iliacus fascia form a continuous lining of the abdominal and pelvic cavity:

The deep inguinal ring is an oval opening in the transversalis fascia located at the mid point of the inguinal ligament and is pierced by the spermatic cord in males and round ligament in females.

Below the umbilicus (at the arcuate line) the rectus sheath passes in front of the rectus abdominis muscle hence the muscle is only covered by transversalis fascia posteriorly at this level.

Related pathology