aponeurosis of the external abdominal oblique, the broad, flat membrane that covers the entire ventral surface of the abdomen and lies superficial to the rectus abdominis muscles. Fibers from both sides of the aponeurosis interlace in the midline to form the linea alba. The upper part of the aponeurosis serves as the inferior origin of the pectoralis major muscle; the lower part ends in the inguinal ligament.
