Abdomen and Pelvis Flashcards
At what level is the transtubercular plane?
L5 (horizontal line joining left and right iliac tubercles
At what level is the subcostal plane?
L2/3 (horizontal line joining right and left costal margins in mid-axillary lines
What are the 9 abdominal regions from top right across and then down (Like reading a book)?
Right hypochondrium, Epigastric, left hypochondriac, right lumbar/flank, umbilical, left lumbar/flank, right inguinal, suprapubic, left inguinal
In current clinical practice, abdomen is divided into four quadrants, what the four regions?
Right upper quadrant, left upper quadrant
Right lower quadrant and left lower quadrant
At what vertebral level is the xiphisternal joint?
T8/9
What level is the midpoint between inferior angle of scapula and top of iliac crest?
T12
What level is the transpyloric plane?
L1
What level is the tip of the 9th costal cartilage?
L1
What level is the sub-costal plane (rib 10)?
L2/L3
What level is the umbilicus?
L3/4
What level is the supra-crustal plane?
L4
What level are the iliac tubercles?
L5
Where is the upper border of the liver?
Upper border closely follows the diaphragm, the upper border (in mid respiration) is marked by a line from the right 5th rib and costal cartilage which extends across the lower end of the sternum to the left 5th intercostal space in the midclavicular line
Oblique border- Follows the right costal margin from the right mid axillary line through the tip of right 9th costal cartilage to tip of left 8th costal cartilage to left 5th intercostal space in midclavicular line
Right border- Right border starts from point 4 and ascends upwards along the right margin of the thoracic cage to meet point 1 on the 5th rib
Where do you find the gall bladder?
Where transpyloric plane meets the right midclavicular line which is at tip of right 9th costal cartilage or where lateral border of rectus abdominis muscle crosses the costal margin
Where is the spleen found?
Along the left 9th, 10th and 11th ribs between erector spina muscles and mid-axillary line
What are the 4 stages of physical examination of the abdomen?
Inspection
Auscultation
Palpation
Percussion
What does the inspection stage of abdomen consist of?
Make note of shape of abdomen, skin abnormalities, surgical scars, masses, movement of abdominal wall with respiration
What does the auscultation stage of abdomen consist of?
Apply diaphragm of stethoscope to the abdominal wall firmly but with gentle pressure. Bowel sounds- listen systematically over all parts of the abdomen. Should listen for at least 3 minutes before coming to conclusion of absence
What does the palpation stage of abdomen examination consist of?
Light palpation- Light palpation in each region using the fingertips. Palm of the hand moulding over the abdominal surface and the fingers flex at metacarpo-phalangeal joints
Deep palpation- place the flat of hand over abdominal wall and apply firm steady pressure. You may use both hands where upper hand is used to exert pressure while lower hand is used to feel organ or mass
What does the percussion stage of abdomen exam consist of?
Percussing the abdominal wall produces a hollow, drum-like sound over air filled spaces such as stomach and colon but dull sound over solid organs- liver, spleen or over liquids
How do you palpate the lumbar vertebrae?
Press down firmly in midline of abdomen with pads of fingers
How do you measure the pulse of abdominal aorta?
It can be felt powerfully near lumbar vertebral bodies above the umbilicus just left of the midline
How do you palpate the spleen?
The spleen is not usually palpable in a healthy subject. If it is enlarged about three times its normal size, it can be palpated below left anterior costal margin
What does palpation of both the liver and the spleen depend on?
Their downward movement when the subject takes a deep breath
