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. 2026 Jun 19;19:610083. doi: 10.2147/LRA.S610083

Figure 1.

A diagram showing thoracoabdominal nerve distribution and plexus formation in the abdominal wall. The image consists of three sub-images illustrating the distribution and plexus formation of thoracoabdominal nerves. The image A shows a schematic with arrows labeled T6 to L1, indicating the direction of nerve entry into the transversus abdominis plane, with lines labeled AAL, MAL and PAL. A small inset shows an orientation guide with anterior, posterior, cephalad and caudad directions. The image B depicts a detailed view of the TAP Plexus and RS Plexus. Nerves T9 to L1 are shown entering the TAP Plexus, labeled DCIV ascending branch and connecting to the RS Plexus, labeled DIEV lateral branch, with lines indicating the pathways. The image C illustrates a cross-section of the abdominal wall, showing layers such as EOM, IOM, TAM and RAM, with labels for ARS, PRS and PP. An orientation guide is also present, indicating anterior, posterior, lateral and medial directions. The diagram highlights the complex innervation and structural organization of the abdominal wall.

Innervation of the abdominal wall and schematic distribution of the thoracoabdominal nerves. (a) Level of entry of the thoracolumbar nerves into the transversus abdominis plane (TAP). (b) Formation of the TAP and plexuses of the rectus sheath (RS). (c) Termination of the nerves and innervation of the parietal peritoneum (PP) and anterior abdominal wall. (Reproduced from Sonawane et al16 © Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. Distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, CC BY 4.0).

Abbreviations: ARS, anterior rectus sheath; PRS, posterior rectus sheath; RAM, rectus abdominis muscle; TAM, transversus abdominis muscle; IOM, internal oblique muscle; EOM, external oblique muscle; AC, abdominal cavity; PP, parietal peritoneum; TF, transversalis fascia; PPS, preperitoneal space; SF, subcutaneous fat/superficial fascia; DCIV, deep circumflex iliac vessels; AAL, anterior axillary line; MAL, midaxillary line; PAL, posterior axillary line; DIEV, deep inferior epigastric vessels.