(iii) Groin injuries in athletes

Abstract

Muscles of the lower anterior abdominal wall include the rectus abdominis, external and internal abdominal obliques, transversus abdominis and pyramidalis (Fig. 1). The rectus abdominis is located on both sides of the linea alba and lies in the rectus sheath. The rectus sheath is formed by the aponeurosis of the internal and external obliques and the transversus abdominis. Below the linea arcuata (arcuate line) the anterior rectus sheath (ARS) is formed by the aponeuroses of the external and internal obliques and the transversus. The ARS inserts on the antero-superior edge of the public bone and joins the fascia of the common adductors to form an aponeurosis which covers the anterior surface of the public bone. This aponeurosis is firmly anchored on the lateral and superior parts of the pubis but less so on the anterior surface. Above the linea arcuata the posterior rectus sheath (PRS) is formed by the aponeurosis of the internal oblique and the aponeurosis of transversus abdominis. Below the linea arcuata the PRS is formed only by a thin fascia transversalis. Our recent cadaver study provided us with data that indicated important sexual differences in musculoskeletal anatomy. This can help to explain the existence of such significant differences in the incidence of groin injuries in men