Abdomen Flashcards
location of the abdomen
extends from the diaphragm down to the brim of the pelvis.
linea alba
the tendinous seam/median line on the anterior abdominal wall between the two rectus muscles
costal margin
the lower edge of the chest (thorax) formed by the bottom edge of the rib cage
7 solid viscera
these maintain a characteristic shape
liver pancreas spleen adrenal glands kidneys ovaries uterus
what is the abdomen bordered by in the back? in the sides and front?
bordered in the back by the vertebral column and the vertebral muscles. bordered in the sides and front by the lower ribcage and the abdominal muscles
5 hollow viscera
- stomach
- gallbladder
- small intestines
- colon
- bladder
location of the liver
fills most of the right upper quadrant and extends over to the left clavicular line
the lower edge of the clavicular and the right kidney could be palpable normally
location of the pancreas
soft lobulated gland located behind the stomach
stretches obliquely across the posterior abdominal wall to the left upper quadrant
when we do an ultrasound, you often can’t see the pancreas
location of the spleen
soft mass of lymphatic tissue on the posterolateral wall of the abdominal cavity, immediately under the diaphragm
lies kind of obliquely - long axis is parallel to the 10th rib, behind the mid-axillary line
usually not palpable, only when it’s swollen (mono, etc.) it pushes down and towards the belly button
location of the kidneys
both kidneys are retroperitoneal - posterior to the abdominal contents
left kidney: lies at the 11th and 12th ribs, where the 12th rib forms the costovertebral angle with the vertebral column
right kidney is 1-2cm lower than the left kidney (only palpable with tumor or superthin person)
when are the ovaries palpable?
only on a bimanual examination during a pelvic examination (one hand in vagina, one hand on outer side of the abdomen)
location of the stomach
just below the diaphragm between the liver and the spleen
location of the gallbladder
under the posterior surface of the liver, just lateral to the right midclavicular line
location of the small intestines
lie in all 4 quadrants
extends from stomach’s pyloric valve to the ileocecal valve in the right lower quadrant (very important spot, where we listen for bowel sounds)
location of the aorta relative to the abdominal region
just to the left of midline in the upper part of the abdomen - 2 cm below the bellybutton it bifurcates into the left and right common iliac arteries - that’s about where the 4th vertebrae is on the back
7 components of the right upper quadrant of the abdomen
- liver
- gallbladder
- duodenum
- head of the pancreas
- right kidney and adrenal gland
- part of the ascending and transverse colon
- hepatic flexure of colon
7 components of the left upper quadrant of the abdomen
- stomach
- spleen
- left lobe of liver
- body of pancreas
- left kidney and adrenal gland
- part of the transverse and descending colon
- splenic flexure of colon
5 components of the right lower quadrant of the abdomen
- cecum
- appendix
- right ovary and tube
- right ureter
- right spermatic cord
- part of the ascending colon
4 components of the left lower quadrant
- part of the descending colon
- sigmoid colon
- left ovarian tube/left spermatic cord
- left ureter
what are the 4 layers of large, flat muscles that form the ventral abdominal wall?
- External oblique
- internal oblique
- transversus muscles
- rectus abdominis
what are all the internal organs inside the abdomen cavity called?
viscera
what is Heartburn?
a burning sensation in the epigastric area radiating into the throat; often associated with regurgitation
what is Anorexia?
loss of appetite – NOT the same as anorexia nervosa
what are signs that patient has excessive gas or flatus?
needing to belch or pass gas by the rectum; patients often state they feel bloated
what is Regurgitation?
the reflux of food and stomach acid back into the mouth; brine-like taste
what is retching?
spasmodic movement of the chest and diaphragm like vomiting, but no stomach contents are passed
What is Blood or coffee ground emesis known as?
hematemesis
5 different colors/type of vomit
food green- or yellow-colored bile mucus blood coffee ground emesis (often old blood)
what is visceral abdominal pain, and what does it feel like?
when hollow organs (stomach, colon) forcefully contract or become distended
usually gnawing, cramping, or aching and is often difficult to localize (hepatitis)
what is parietal abdominal pain and how is it characterized?
Parietal pain: when there is inflammation from the hollow or solid organs that affect the parietal peritoneum
Parietal pain is more severe and is usually easily localized (appendicitis)
what is Referred abdominal pain and how is it characterized?
Referred pain originates at different sites but shares innervation from the same spinal level (gallbladder pain in the shoulder)
when a person gives a history of abdominal pain, the pains location may not necessarily be directly over the involved organ.
melena
dark sticky feces containing partly digested blood
what can white or gray stools indicate?
liver or gallbladder disease
What are relevant PMH to abdomen?
Hepatitis, cirrhosis, gallbladder problems, or pancreatitis
How should the patient be positioned during the abdominal exam?
Supine position with knees bent, arms at sides or folded over chest
When should you examine areas that are painful to the patient?
At the END of the exam
What is the order for the physical assessment of the abdomen?
- Inspect
- Auscultate
- Percuss
- Palpate
what is an umbilical hernia?
occurs when part of the intestine protrudes through the umbilical opening in the abdominal muscles