Linea alba
MuscularSuperficial musclesWhole body
- What it is
- Tendinous midline seam from the xiphoid process to the pubic symphysis where the aponeuroses of the three flat abdominal muscles interlace; the umbilical ring lies in it.
- Function
- Anchors the abdominal aponeuroses so the left and right muscles pull against each other.
- Size
- About 1–2 cm wide above the umbilicus, only a few mm below it; ~31 cm long.
- Clinical note
- Being nearly bloodless it is the classic route of midline laparotomy; defects in it cause epigastric and umbilical hernias.