Abdomen Flashcards
What organs are in the abdominal cavity?
stomach, small intestine, large intestine, liver, gallbladder, spleen, and kidneys
What organs are in the pelvic cavity?
rectum, sigmoid of the large intestine, the urinary bladder, and reproduction organs
true pelvis
the portion of the abdominopelvic cavity inferior to a plane passing through the sacral promontory posteriorly and the superior surface of the public bones anteriorly
peritoneum
double-walled seromembranous sac that encloses abdominopelvic cavity
parietal peritoneum
the outer portion of the seromembranous sac the is in close contact with the abdominal wall, the pelvic wall, and most of the undersurface of the diaphragm
visceral peritoneum
the inner portion of the sac that is positioned over or around the contained organs
mesentery and omento
peritoneum folds that serve to support the viscera in position
peritoneal fluid
the space between the two layers of the peritoneum that contains serous fluid
retroperitoneum
the cavity behind the peritoneum that holds that kidneys and pancreas
What is the best criterion for assessing the quality of an abdominal radiographic image?
The ability to visualize:
- sharply defined outlines of the psoas muscles
- Lower border of the liver
- kidneys
- ribs and transverse processes of the lumbar vertebrae
What is another name for a supine AP Projection?
KUB: kidneys, ureters, bladder
Which three projections usually comprise the acute abdomen series for ambulatory patients?
Supine KUB, AP upright abdomen, and upright PA chest
To which level of the patient should the central ray be centered for the KUB when the patient is supine?
iliac crests
For the AP upright abdomen image of an adult of average size, why should the centering be slightly higher than the centering level used for the supine KUB image?
to include the diaphragm
For the KUB image, when should respiration be suspended, and what effect will that have on the patient?
on full expiration, elevate the diaphragm
Why is it desirable to include the diaphragm in the upright abdomen image?
to demonstrate free air in the abdomen
Which projection should be used to demonstrate free air within the abdominal cavity when the patient is unable to stand for an upright abdomen image?
AP Projection, left lateral decubitus position
Which projection does not show free air levels within the abdomen?
AP Projection with the patient supine
what is the major advantage of the PA projection of the abdomen over the AP projection of the abdomen?
The PA projection reduces the exposure dose to the gonads
Which radiographic position of the abdomen requires that the patient be placed in the lateral recumbent position on his or her left side and that the horizontal central ray be directed along the midsagittal plane, entering the anterior surface of the patient’s abdomen at the level of the iliac crests?
Left lateral decubitus
Which radiographic position of the abdomen requires that the patient be supine and that the central ray be directed to a lateral side of the patient, entering slightly anterior of the midcoronal plane?
dorsal decubitus
Which radiographic position of the abdomen requires that the patient be placed in the lateral recumbent position on his or her left side, that the IR be placed under the patient and centered to the abdomen at the level of the iliac crests, and that the central ray be directed to enter the right side of the patient slightly anterior to the midcoronal plane?
left lateral
For the lateral projection with the patient placed in the dorsal decubitus position, where should the central ray enter the patient?
2 inches (5 cm) anterior to the midcoronal plane and 2 inches (5cm) above the level of the iliac crests
Which structures should be examined to see whether the patient was rotated for lateral projection of the abdomen?
pelvis and lumbar vertebrae
How is proper patient alignment evaluated on an AP projection, supine position (KUB) image of the abdomen?
the cerebral column is centered in the collimated field
Which of the following is evaluated to check for rotation of an AP projection, supine position image of the abdomen?
the Ala of the ilia are symmetric
To which level of the patient should the central ray be centered for the KUB when the patient is upright and the diaphragm is of interest?
2 inches (5cm) above the iliac crests
To which level of the patient should the central ray be centered for the KUB when the patient is upright and the bladder is of interest?
iliac crests
What is the recommended exposure field or CR plate size when performing a KUB?
14x17inches lengthwise
For AP Supine, where should the IR/Collimated field be centered?
at the level of the iliac crests and include pubic symphasis
For AP upright, where should the IR/Collimated field be centered?
2 inches above the level of iliac crests or higher to include the diaphragm
Where do you center the IR/collimated field for a upright image where the bladder is needed?
At the iliac crest
For AP projection supine, where should central ray be?
perpendicular to the IR at the level of the iliac crests
For AP projection upright, where should central ray be?
horizontal and 2 inches (5cm) above the level of the iliac crests to include the diaphragm
What does the AP Projection of the abdomen show?
liver, spleen, kidneys, intra-abdominal calcifications or evidence of tumor masses
When do you consider using the PA projection?
When the kidneys are not the primary interest
Why is PA better than AP when it comes to radiation?
reduces patient gonadal dose
For PA Projection upright, how should the patient be positioned?
center abdominal midline to the midline of the IR
For PA Projection upright, how should the IR/Collimated field be centered?
2 inches (5cm) above the iliac crests
In AP left lateral decubitus, how should the IR be positioned to the pt part?
long axis of IR is centered to the midsagittal plane
For AP left lateral decubitus, how should the patient be centered?
center IR at iliac crests
For lateral projection, the IR should be centered where?
At the level of the iliac crests, or 2 inches above crests to include diaphragm
For lateral projection, where should the central ray be?
perpendicular to the IR, entering the midcoronal plane at level if the iliac crest or 2 inches above if diaphragm is needed
