[Possibilities of using ultrasonography for intravital study of topographic anatomy of the anterior abdominal wall in humans].

The ultrasound investigation has been performed by means of the echodevices "Aloka-280" and "Aloka-650" (Japan), transducers of 3.5 and 5 MHz. Eighty-two persons of both sex at the age 16-72 years have been examined. The white line, m. rectus abdominis and m. vastus abdominis have been measured at three levels, as well as lateral amuscular spaces. The width of the abdominal white line is individually very variable; the area of the lateral amuscular spaces is greater to the right than to the left. In 20 persons examined they are absent. The thickness of the m. m. rectus abdominis increases from their superior parts to the inferior ones, and their width just the reverse, decreases in this direction. The state of the anterior abdominal wall muscles has been studied both at rest and under functional load. When the prelum abdominale is at the state of exertion, the muscles react differently: dimensions of the m. m. rectus abdominis at rest and under exertion significantly differ at all levels investigated; the m. m. vastus abdominis become thicker to a less degree. When the prelum abdominale is at the state of exertion, no correlation has been revealed between thickness of the m. m. rectus abdominis and degree of their thickening, as well as between width and manifestation of narrowing. A conclusion is made that the ultrasound method opens great possibilities for vital investigation of the anterior abdominal wall topography.