Abdominal Anatomy

Question 1

Abdominal Muscle Layers

Answer 1

1. External abdominal oblique (inferomedial)
2. Internal abdominal oblique (superomedial)
3. Transversus abdominus (ventral)

Question 2

Quadrants

Answer 2

Transumbilical plane

Median plane

Question 3

Subcostal & Intertubercular vs. Transpyloric & Transtubercular Planes

Answer 3

Subcostal (below inferior ribs)
Intertubercular plane
Midclavicular planes
R hypochondrium, Epigastric region, L hypochondrium, R flank, umbilical region, L flank, R groin, pubic region, & L groin

Transpyloric (across stomach)
Transtubercular

Question 4

Greater Omentum

Answer 4

Covers the small intestines

Question 5

Foregut

Answer 5

Stomach 
Liver
Gallbladder
Duodenum (1st half)
Pancreas

Blood supply = celiac artery (trunk)

Question 6

Midgut

Answer 6

Small intestine
1st 2/3 large intestines

Blood supply = superior mesenteric artery

Question 7

Hindgut

Answer 7

Remainder large intestine & rectum

Blood supply = inferior mesenteric artery

Question 8

Stomach Anatomy

Answer 8

Abdominal esophagus
Cardial notch
Fundus & body
Greater curvature
Lesser curvature
Pyloric antrum, canal, sphincter, constriction, & orifice

Question 9

Celiac Branches

Answer 9

• Splenic to spleen & pancreas
• L gastric to lesser curvature
• Common hepatic → branches

Question 10

Hepatic Function

Answer 10

Drains & detoxifies blood
- Blood → vena cava via the portal vein
Collects & stores nutrients
Bile production

Question 11

Liver Lobules

Answer 11

R & L (caudate & quadrate) lobes
Divided by falciform ligament
Able to isolate & remove 
Each lobe has own blood supply - hepatic artery branches & veins
Segments drain to IVC & bile duct

Question 12

Gallbladder Function

Answer 12

Stores bile salts

Bile secreted into duodenum

Question 13

Portal Cava Anastomoses

Answer 13

Provide alternative route

• L gastric vein & esophageal veins
• Superior rectal vein & middle/inferior rectal veins
• Paraumbilical veins in ligamentum teres & superficial epigastric veins
• Colic veins & retroperitoneal veins

Question 14

Rectal Varices

Answer 14

Result from blockage

Blood present in stool

Question 15

Esophageal Varices

Answer 15

Result from blockage
Rupture → bleeding into stomach
Vomiting blood

Question 16

Abdominal Varices

Answer 16

Caput medusa

Question 17

Splenomegaly results from _____

Answer 17

Splenic artery blockage

Question 18

Duodenum

Answer 18

Receives digestive secretions from gallbladder & pancreas

Question 19

Small Intestine

Answer 19

Duodenum
Jejunum
Ileum

Question 20

Large Intestine

Answer 20

Colon

• Cecum
• Ascending
• Transverse
• Descending
• Sigmoid

Question 21

Appendix

Answer 21

McBurney’s point
Draw line from umbilicus to anterior superior iliac spine
2/3 between
Pain at site identifies appendicitis

Question 22

Retroperitoneal Space

Answer 22

Kidneys
Aorta
IVC

Question 23

Urinary System

Answer 23

Filtrate formed in glomeruli
Reabsorbs non-waste solutes & water in tubules
Makes urine dilute or concentrated in collecting ducts

Ureters - conduit urine to bladder
Bladder - stores urine until voided
Urethra - conduit urine to void

Question 24

Which kidney lies higher in the retroperitoneal space?

Answer 24

LEFT

Question 25

Urethra

Male vs. Female

Answer 25

Females more susceptible to infection (UTIs)

Shorter, simpler urethra as compared to males