Anatomical Illustration of the Abdominal Wall and Fat

Fig. 4.1

Incision of the lateral abdomen that shows the reticular dermis and subcutaneuous tissue

4.2 The Subcutaneous Cellular Tissue

The adipose tissue that forms the subcutaneous tissue is divided into two layers by the superficial fascia (Figs. 4.2, 4.3, and 4.4).

Fig. 4.2

Dissection of the areolar and lamellar layers and the superficial fascia

Fig. 4.3

Dissection of the superficial fascia in the lateral abdomen region

Fig. 4.4

Drawing of the two different layers: the areolar and the lamellar layers with also the trabecular superficial fascia

The areolar layer is the superficial and is a loose connective tissue that has the function both to bind different tissue types together and provide flexibility and cushioning. It is formed by interlacing loosely organized fibers (including mostly collagenous ones, elastic, and reticular fibers) and blood vessels.

The lamellar layer is composed of fibrous conjunctive tissue with a large amount of blood vessels coming from the musculoaponeurotic layer and fusiform fat cells.

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