rectus sheath


rec·tus sheath

[TA] sheath of the rectus abdominis, formed by the aponeuroses of the three anterolateral muscles of the abdominal wall that split to enclose the rectus and fuse medially to form the linea alba; it consists of an anterior lamina and a posterior lamina, the latter being absent below the arcuate line.
See also: aponeurosis of external oblique (muscle), aponeurosis of internal oblique muscle. Synonym(s): vagina musculi recti abdominis [TA]

rectus sheath

A strong fibrous sleeve in which the rectus abdominis and pyramidalis muscles contract. The sheath is formed from the aponeuroses of the abdominal wall muscles as they meet in the linea alba at the abdominal midline. See also: sheath