Investing abdominal fascia

Looks like

A thin layer of deep connective tissue directly covering the outer surface of the belly wall muscles.

What it does

Wraps the muscles and lets them slide under the fat and skin.

Keeping it well

Surgeons close it with the muscle layers; weakness at scars can lead to incisional hernia.

Related conditions

• Hernia (inguinal, hiatal, umbilical)
• Peritonitis