SBA — Single Best Answer · Review
Question 1
Anatomy → Region
Classification
Question
SSBAQuestion Header
During dissection of the lower anterior abdominal wall, a surgeon notes that the subcutaneous tissue separates into a superficial fatty layer and a deeper membranous layer. The deeper layer is more clearly developed laterally and continues inferiorly into the perineum. Which structure represents this inferior continuation?
Question Stem
A) Camper’s fascia
B) Colles’ fascia
C) Fascia transversalis
D) Rectus sheath
E) Transversus abdominis
B) Colles’ fascia
C) Fascia transversalis
D) Rectus sheath
E) Transversus abdominis
Options
A
Camper’s fascia
B
Colles’ fascia
C
Fascia transversalis
D
Rectus sheath
E
Transversus abdominis
Explanation
Below the umbilicus, the subcutaneous tissue of the anterior abdominal wall separates into a superficial fatty layer and a deeper membranous layer. The superficial fatty component corresponds to Camper’s fascia, whereas the deeper membranous component corresponds to Scarpa’s fascia. Scarpa’s fascia is better developed laterally and continues inferiorly into the perineal region as the superficial perineal fascia, or Colles’ fascia. Fascia transversalis lies deeper in the abdominal wall and is unrelated to this subcutaneous continuity. The rectus sheath belongs to the musculoaponeurotic layer, while transversus abdominis is a muscle of the lateral abdominal wall.
Option Validity
A) Camper’s fascia is the superficial fatty component of the subcutaneous tissue.
C) Fascia transversalis is a deeper abdominal-wall fascial layer.
D) The rectus sheath belongs to the musculoaponeurotic layer.
E) Transversus abdominis is a muscle, not the inferior continuation of Scarpa’s fascia.
Further Reading
Part 1 MRCOG Revision Notes and Sample SBAs. Cambridge University Press, 2020. Section 1: Anatomy, Chapter 1. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108644396