Transversus Abdominis Plane (TAP) block is performed under ultrasound guidance. Between which two fascial layers is the local anaesthetic deposited?

• A Between skin and external oblique fascia
• B Between the transversus abdominis muscle and peritoneum
• C Between the internal oblique and transversus abdominis muscles ✓
• D Within the rectus sheath

Explanation

The TAP block targets the anterior rami of thoracolumbar spinal nerves (T7–L1) as they travel through the fascial plane between the internal oblique and transversus abdominis muscles. Injection in this plane provides analgesia to the anterolateral abdominal wall (skin, muscle, parietal peritoneum). Subcostal TAP targets T7–T9; lateral TAP targets T10–T12; ilioinguinal TAP (posterior) may cover L1. TAP block provides somatic but not visceral analgesia, making it useful as part of multimodal analgesia for laparotomy, caesarean section (when intrathecal morphine not used), and laparoscopic procedures.

Reference: Morgan & Mikhail's Clinical Anesthesiology, 6th ed.

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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.