Bukväggens

Bukväggens, in Swedish anatomical usage, refers to the abdominal wall, the musculotendinous structure enclosing the abdominal cavity and separating it from the subcutaneous tissue. It supports and protects abdominal organs, helps maintain intra-abdominal pressure, assists in expiration and core stability, and participates in movements of the trunk and pelvis.

Its anatomy comprises layers from outside in: skin, Camper’s and Scarpa’s fascia (in subcutaneous tissue); the muscular wall formed by external oblique, internal oblique, and transversus abdominis; the rectus abdominis muscles enclosed within the rectus sheath formed by the aponeuroses of the lateral abdominal muscles; the linea alba along the midline; and the deep fascia (transversalis fascia) with the parietal peritoneum.

Motor and sensory innervation is provided by the thoracoabdominal nerves (the lower intercostal nerves T7–T11), the subcostal nerve (T12), and the iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal nerves. Blood supply comes from the superior and inferior epigastric arteries, with contributions from the lower intercostal arteries and deep circumflex iliac arteries.

Common clinical issues involve abdominal wall hernias (especially inguinal and umbilical hernias, and ventral or incisional hernias), diastasis of the rectus abdominis, and weakening after surgery or trauma. Surgical repair may involve suturing the defect, placement of mesh, and various approaches (open or laparoscopic). The wall also defines the preferred site for midline laparotomy along the linea alba.

Embryologically, the abdominal wall develops from somatic mesoderm and migrates to encase the forming abdominal cavity; maturation yields the layered structure and the rectus sheath.