In a Spigelian hernia, the defect occurs at which specific anatomical location in the abdominal wall?

• A Through the femoral canal below the inguinal ligament
• B Through the umbilical ring
• C Through the linea alba above the umbilicus
• D At the arcuate line (linea semicircularis) through the aponeurosis of transversus abdominis, lateral to the rectus abdominis ✓

Explanation

Spigelian hernia (lateral ventral hernia) occurs along the Spigelian fascia or Spigelian line, which is the semilunar line between the lateral border of rectus abdominis and the medial edge of the semi-circular line (arcuate line) at approximately the level of the umbilicus. The hernia passes through the transversus abdominis aponeurosis and the internal oblique but is often covered by the intact external oblique aponeurosis, making it an interparietal or interstitial hernia (easily missed on clinical examination). It is most common at or below the umbilical level where the posterior rectus sheath is absent (below arcuate line).

Reference: BD Chaurasia's Human Anatomy, 8th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.