What is a rectus abdominis flap?

What is a rectus abdominis flap?

The rectus flap is a musculocutaneous flap based on the deep inferior epigastric artery and vein and terminal musculocutaneous perforators. These vessels arise from the external iliac artery and vein and course superomedially to run along the deep lateral aspect of the muscle.

What is rectus abdominis in anatomy?

The rectus abdominis muscle, also known as the “abdominal muscle” or simply the “abs”, is a paired muscle running vertically on each side of the anterior wall of the human abdomen, as well as that of some other mammals.

What part of the body does the rectus abdominis move?

rectus abdominis – slung between the ribs and the pubic bone at the front of the pelvis. When contracting, this muscle has the characteristic bumps or bulges that are commonly called ‘the six pack’. The main function of the rectus abdominis is to move the body between the ribcage and the pelvis.

What are the parts of the rectus abdominis?

Rectus abdominis belongs to the anterior abdominal muscles together with pyramidalis muscle. But taking the functional anatomy into account, these two muscles comprise the anterolateral abdominal wall along with the three lateral abdominal muscles; external oblique, internal oblique and transversus abdominis.

What is vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap?

The extended vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous (eVRAM) flap is useful to obtain additional skin and fat with the distal (superior) flap for pelvic or perineal reconstruction. The eVRAM flap requires sufficient laxity of the abdominal wall for donor site closure.

What is arcuate line?

The arcuate line is the inferior margin of the posterior leaflet of the rectus sheath within the abdomen. The posterior leaflet of the sheath is formed, superficial to deep, from the: posterior part of the internal oblique aponeurosis. transversus abdominis aponeurosis.

Is rectus abdominis deep or superficial?

Muscles of the anterior abdominal wall consists of two vertical muscles located on the midline and bisected by linea alba; Rectus abdominis and pyramidalis and three flat muscles on the anterolateral side arranged from superficial to deep; external abdominal oblique, internal abdominal oblique, transversus abdominis.

Where is your rectus abdominis?

A rectus abdominis muscle runs longitudinally along the ventral aspect of the body wall between the pectoral and pelvic girdles, and laterally this muscle is associated with the third group, the lateral hypaxial muscles.

What is VRAM in medical?

The vertical rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (VRAM) flap was the earliest of the rectus flaps to be described. Initially used for chest and abdominal wall reconstruction, this flap was subsequently applied to breast reconstruction by Robbins. 113.

How is the rectus abdominius muscle flap used?

The transverse rectus abdominius muscle flap is a free flap used for breast reconstruction surgery. A segment of the muscle is incised and raised along with the perforating inferior epigastric artery and anastomosed with branches of the internal mammary/ internal thoracic artery.

Where is the rectus abdominis located in the body?

Rectus abdominis , informally known as the abs muscle, is a long muscle of the anterior abdominal wall. In those with low body fat, it is clearly visible beneath the skin forming the ‘six pack’. It extends from the rib cage all the way to the pubic bone. Rectus abdominis belongs to the anterior abdominal muscles together with pyramidalis muscle.

How is the pedicle to the rectus muscle identified?

The pedicle to the rectus is identified by entering the areolar fat plane lateral to the muscle at it’s inferior aspect. The origin of the muscle near the pubis is isolated by encircling the muscle with the index finger. The muscle is then divided with cautery while protecting the pedicle.

How are the perforators of the rectus abdominis protected?

The musculocutaneous perforators are now identified and protected. The anterior sheath is incised lateral to the linea alba preserving the perforators to the skin. The rectus abdominis muscle is transected above the level of the skin paddle and the muscle elevated off the posterior rectus sheath using blunt dissection.