abdomen surface anatomy

Question 1

what are the quadrants of the abdomen?

Answer 1

right upper
right lower
left upper
left lower

Question 2

what are the 9 regions of the abdomen?

Answer 2

right hypochondrium
left hypochondrium
epigastric
right lumbar
left lumbar
umbilical
right iliac
left iliac
hypogastrium / suprapubic

Question 3

what forms the superior boundary (thoracic outlet) of the abdominal cavity?

Answer 3

the xiphoid process

Question 4

what forms the inferior boundary of the abdominal cavity?

Answer 4

the ischial crest of the pelvis and the pubic bone

Question 5

what forms the posterior boundary of the abdominal cavity?

Answer 5

the lumbar vertebrae

Question 6

which muscles form the walls of the abdo cavity?

Answer 6

obliques
rectus abdominus
quadratus lumborum

Question 7

what is the function of the obliques?

Answer 7

flex the trunk

Question 8

what muscle forms the roof of the abdominal cavity?

Answer 8

the diaphragm

Question 9

what forms the floor of the abdominal cavity?

Answer 9

the pelvic diaphragm

Question 10

what are the superficial branches of the nerves in the abdo cavity?

Answer 10

iliohypogastric
ilioinguinal
subcostal

Question 11

at what vertebral level does the aorta pass into the abdo cavity?

Answer 11

T7

Question 12

at what vertebral level does the aorta bifurcate into the common iliac arteries?

Answer 12

T4

Question 13

at what vertebral level does the IVC pass through the caval opening of the diaphragm?

Answer 13

T8

Question 14

what are the dimensions of the spleen?

Answer 14

~10cm long, 7cm wide and 3-4cm thick

Question 15

where does the spleen lie?

Answer 15

on the L side posterior to ribs 9-11 near the midaxillary line

Question 16

is the spleen normally palpable?

Answer 16

no

can have splenomegaly in certain conditions such as following infection and in haemophilia

Question 17

what are the 2 function of the spleen?

Answer 17

recycle old RBCs
store platelets and WBCs

Question 18

where does the liver lie?

Answer 18

it is a large organ that fills the right hypochondrium

Question 19

what are the sizes of the lobes of the liver?

Answer 19

the right lobe is large and the left lobe is small

Question 20

why is it difficult to palpate the liver?

Answer 20

because it is covered by the ribs

Question 21

what is the shape of the gall bladder?

Answer 21

it is a small sac lie structure that is ~3cm in diameter

Question 22

where does the gall bladder lie?

Answer 22

at midclavicular line on the right at 9th costal cartilage

Question 23

what is the function of the gall bladder?

Answer 23

to store and concentrate bile

Question 24

describe the variation in the shape and size of the stomach

Answer 24

varies between individuals and depending on whether it is full

Question 25

why can the stomach not be palpated when it is empty?

Answer 25

because it lies behind the rib cage

Question 26

where can the stomach be palpated with it is full?

Answer 26

on the left side below the costal margin

Question 27

what are the 2 fixed positions of the stomach?

Answer 27

cardiac orifice pyloric orifice

Question 28

where does the cardiac orifice of the stomach lie?

Answer 28

along the 7th costal cartilage 2.5cm to the left of the midline

Question 29

where does the pyloric orifice lie?

Answer 29

on the transpyloric plane 1.5cm to the right of the midline

Question 30

what is the length of the duodenum?

Answer 30

approx 25cm

Question 31

where does the duodenum lie?

Answer 31

between the pyloric valve and the jejunum

Question 32

in what part of the duodenum is the ampulla of vater located?

Answer 32

in the second part

Question 33

what are the dimensions of the pancreas?

Answer 33

~10cm long, 4 cm wide

Question 34

what is the head of the pancreas surrounded by?

Answer 34

the duodenum

Question 35

where does the body of the pancreas lie?

Answer 35

on the transpyloric plane

Question 36

where does the tail of the pancreas abut onto?

Answer 36

the hilum of the spleen

Question 37

is the pancreas normally palpable?

Answer 37

no

Question 38

what is the large vein forms posterior to the pancreas?

Answer 38

the portal vein

Question 39

where in relation to the splenic artery does the pancreas lie?

Answer 39

inferior to the splenic artery

Question 40

what is the length of the small intestine?

Answer 40

~8cm long

Question 41

what is the small intestine attached to?

Answer 41

mesentery

Question 42

where does the jejunum begin?

Answer 42

at L2 just left of the midline

Question 43

what is the major blood supply to the small intestine

Answer 43

the superior mesenteric artery

Question 44

where does the caecum lie?

Answer 44

in the right iliac region

Question 45

where does the appendix lie?

Answer 45

in the midclavicular line 1.5cm medial to the anterior superior iliac spine

Question 46

are the cacecum and appendix normally palpable?

Answer 46

no

Question 47

where is pain from the appendix normally referred to and where does it migrate to?

Answer 47

referred to the umbilical region and referred to the R inguinal region

Question 48

where does the ascending colon pass from / to?

Answer 48

passes from the caecum in the right iliac fossa upwards to the level of the transpyloric plane

Question 49

what does the ascending colon form at the transpyloric plane?

Answer 49

the hepatic flexure

Question 50

where does the transverse colon form the splenic flexure?

Answer 50

just above the transpyloric plane

Question 51

where does the descending colon pass from / to?

Answer 51

passes down from the splenic flexure into the inguinal region

Question 52

where does the descending colon become the sigmoid colon?

Answer 52

at the inguinal region

Question 53

describe the shape / course of the sigmoid colon?

Answer 53

it forms an S shape as it passes backwards and down the sacrum to form the rectum

Question 54

where does the rectum extend from / to?

Answer 54

extends from the sacrum to the pelvic floor

Question 55

what does the rectum form at the pelvic floor?

Answer 55

the anal canal

Question 56

is the large intestine palpable?

Answer 56

no

Question 57

describe the location of the kidneys

Answer 57

the kidneys are retroperitoneal structures lying on the posterior wall of the abdo cavity

Question 58

what rib protects the R kidney

Answer 58

rib 12

Question 59

what ribs protect the L kidney

Answer 59

rib 11 and 12

Question 60

why does the R kidney sit lower than the L kidney?

Answer 60

because the liver is in the way on the right

Question 61

what are the dimensions of the kidneys?

Answer 61

each kidney is ~11cm long, 6cm wide and 3cm thick

Question 62

what vertebral level does the hilum of the kidney sit at?

Answer 62

L1

Question 63

where in relation to the midline does the renal hilum lie?

Answer 63

~3cm away from the midline

Question 64

where does the bladder normally lie?

Answer 64

behind the bodies of the pubic bones

Question 65

as the bladder fills where does it rise to?

Answer 65

approx 3cm above the pubic bones

Question 66

where can a full bladder be palpated?

Answer 66

just superior to the pubic symphysis