Pyramidalis muscle

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Pyramidalis muscle
Gray397.png
The Transversus abdominis, Rectus abdominis, and Pyramidalis. (Pyramidalis labeled at bottom center.)
Latin musculus pyramidalis
Gray's subject #118 416
Origin pubic symphysis and pubic crest
Insertion    linea alba
Artery
Nerve Subcostal nerve (T12)
Actions tensing the linea alba

The pyramidalis is a small and triangular muscle, anterior to the Rectus abdominis, and contained in the rectus sheath.

Contents

[edit] Attachments and actions

Inferiorly, it attaches to the pubic symphysis and pubic crest, arising by tendinous fibers from the anterior part of the pubis and the anterior pubic ligament.

Superiorly, the fleshy portion of the muscle passes upward, diminishing in size as it ascends, and ends by a pointed extremity which is inserted into the linea alba, midway between the umbilicus and pubis.

Therefore, when contracting, it has the function of tensing the linea alba.

[edit] Variations

It is absent in 20% of normal humans.

This muscle may be absent on one or both sides; the lower end of the rectus then becomes proportionately increased in size.

Occasionally it is double on one side, and the muscles of the two sides are sometimes of unequal size.

It may extend higher than the usual level.

[edit] Innervation

The muscle is innervated by the ventral portion of T12.

[edit] Surgical Landmark

While making the longitudinal inscision for a classical caesarean section the pyramidalis is used to determine midline and location of the linea alba.

[edit] Additional images

[edit] External links


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