3.a Anterior Abdominal Wall Landmarks Flashcards
Surface Landmarks
Costal margins, umbilicus, anterior superior iliac spine, iliac tubercle, linea semilunaris
Which cartilages form the costal margin of Abdominal Wall
The cartilages of the 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th ribs form the costal margins.
The right and left costal margins run
Upward medially toward the side of the xiphoid process
What forms the upper limit of anterior abdominal wall in the anterior median plane.
Xiphoid Process
Where does Xiphoid process lie
It lies at the apex of subcostal angle
and its apex is sometimes bent forward and hence easily palpable beneath the skin.
The xiphoid process lies at the
level of
T9 Vertebrae
What forms the lower limit of the anterior abdominal wall at the side
Iliac Crest
Iliac crest can be traced forward to
Anterior Superior Spine
Behind the anterior superior iliac spine a
prominent tubercle can be felt which is called
Tubercle of iliac crest
The highest points of iliac crests lie at the level of
L4 Vertebrae
What forms the lower limit of anterior abdominal wall in the anterior median plane.
Pubic Symphysis
Pubic symphysis can be felt at the level of
Coccyx
What is Groove of Groin
It is a curved linear horizontal groove which extends
downward and medially from anterior superior iliac spine to the pubic tubercle
Why is groove of groin called inguinal
line/ Poupart’s line
It is convex downward and overlies the
inguinal/ Poupart’s ligament
What is Midline Furrow/Groove
It is a linear furrow/groove, which extends from the xiphoid process above to the pubic symphysis below.
The midline linear furrow
divides the anterior abdominal wall
Right and left halves. It corresponds to Linea Alba
What is Umbilicus
It is an irregular, depressed scarred area in the linear midline
furrow, a little below its midpoint
What is Linea Semilunaris
A curved furrow, which extends from tip of the 9th costal cartilage to the pubic tubercle. Lies few centimeters away from the median furrow and corresponds to the lateral margin of the rectus abdominis.
Spermatic Cord
Soft rounded cord present in the males. Can be palpated through skin as it passes downward just above the medial end of inguinal ligament to enter the scrotum.
What is McBurney’s Point
A point at the junction of medial 2/3rd and lateral 1/3rd
of the line extending from the umbilicus to the anterior superior iliac spine (spinoumbilical line).
What is Murphy’s Point
A point where linea semilunaris meets the right
subcostal margin. It corresponds to the tip of the 9th costal cartilage.
Transpyloric Plane/Addison’s Plane
Imaginary horizontal plane which passes through
the midpoint of the line joining the jugular (suprasternal) notch to the symphysis pubis.
Addisons plane lies at
Anteriorly : the tip of 9th Costal cartilage
Posteriorly : Lower border of L1 Vertebrae
Which plane is the key plane of abdomen:
Transpyloric Plane/Addison’s Plane
Subcostal Plane
An imaginary horizontal plane, which passes immediately below the costal margins.
Subcostal Plane lies at
Anteriorly : Lower margins of 10th Costal Cartilage
Posteriorly : Body of L3 Vertebrae
Transumbilical Plane
Imaginary line that passes thru’ Umbilicus
Transumbilical Plane lies at the level of
Intervertebral disc between L3 AND L4
Intertubercular Plane
Imaginary line that joins the tubercules of iliac crest
Right and Left Vertical Planes are also called as
Midclavicular Planes
Midclavicular plane
They pass from the midpoint of the clavicle superiorly to the point midway between the anterior superior iliac
spine and the pubic symphysis inferiorly, i.e midinguinal
point
