A description of the planes of fascia of the human body : with special reference to the fascia of the abdomen, pelvis and perineum / by B.B. Gallaudet.

  • Gallaudet, Bern B. (Bern Budd), 1860-1934.
Date:
1931
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: A description of the planes of fascia of the human body : with special reference to the fascia of the abdomen, pelvis and perineum / by B.B. Gallaudet. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    corresponding mesentery, and carry the blood-vascular, lymphatic and nerve supply. On actually reaching the vis- cus toward which it runs, each prolongation ceases as fascia (a gross structure) and blends with the proper structure of the organ, i.e., the fibro-elastic stroma of the tunica serosa (peritoneum) of the intestines, or with the capsule of the liver. These are intraperitoneal viscera. The mesenteries of course include the omenta and in fat subjects are seemingly mere masses of fat covered on both sides by a glistening sur- face, the peritoneum. In the case of the extraperitoneal viscera (also known as sub or retroperitoneal), a delicate layer of fascia is found on stripping off the peritoneum. This covers the organ (front and back), e.g., the duodenum, except the proximal portion which is always intraperitoneal, as is also the terminal por- tion when there is a retroduodenal fossa; and the pancreas. As regards the kidneys, the above arrangement is very marked. Thus, the superficial intra-abdominal fascia, a little below the lower pole of the kidney, splits into two layers which pass upward one in front of the other behind the organ, including the adrenal. These layers unite above and along the margins of the kidney. From the union along the medial border, especially at the hilum, processes are sent out- ward into the sinus and inward toward the aorta and vena cava, thus investing the renal and adrenal vessels, nerves etc. At their origins from aorta and cava these vascular branches necessarily pierce this fascia in order to become invested by it. We thus have a sort of pocket in which the kidney and adrenal are lodged. The above holds good for very thin sub- jects. In most subjects, however, especially in fat ones, there are found special deposits or pads of fat located as fol- lows: (1) Between the two layers, often extending up onto the kidney; (2) in front of the anterior layer, i.e., between this and the peritoneum; (3) behind the posterior layer, i.e., between it and the transversalis fascia.