ABDOMINAL IMAGING

Question 1

What type of organs does the caval system drain into the IVC? What of the portal system?

Answer 1

Caval system drains primary retroperitoneal organs (kidneys and gonads) into the IVC. The portal system drains peritoneal and secondary retroperitoneal organs (most of the gut) into the portal vein.

Question 2

The left gonadal vein drains into the _____ ____ vein whereas the right gonadal vein drains into the ____.

Answer 2

Left renal vein;

Directly into the IVC

Question 3

The splenic vein drains organs of the ______. The _____ _____ vein drains most of the midgut. The IMV drains most of the ______, which heads into the ______ vein then into the ______ vein.

Answer 3

Foregut;
Superior Mesenteric vein;
Hindgut into the Splenic vein then into the portal vein.

Question 4

Label the following landmarks according to their vertebral levels: 
Celiac trunk;
renal arteries;
SMA;
IMA;
Umbilicus;
Aortic bifurcation

Answer 4

T12;
L2;
L1;
L3;
L3/4;
L4

Question 5

The trans-umbilical plane is located at vertebral level ______, but has spinal nerves coming from the ____ dermatome.

Answer 5

L3/4 vertebral level;

T10 dermatome

Question 6

Intraperitoneal organs tend to be positioned more _____ to the retroperitoneal organs and are covered by _______ peritoneum. Whereas, the retroperitoneal organs are covered by _______ peritoneum.

Answer 6

More anterior;
Visceral peritoneum;
Parietal peritoneum

Question 7

What do the liver, tail of the pancreas, spleen and stomach all have in common?

Answer 7

Peritoneal organs

Question 8

What doe the following organs have in common:

Most of pancreas, parts 2-4 of duodenum, ascending/descending colon, upper rectum?

Answer 8

Secondary retroperitoneal organs

Question 9

What do the following abdominal organs have in common:

Kidneys, adrenal glands, lymph nodes, aorta, IVC, ureters, lower rectum, anal canal?

Answer 9

Primary retroperitoneal organs

Question 10

The transpyloric plane is located at the ____ vertebral level; whereas, the trans umbilical plane is located at the ____ vertebral level.

Answer 10

L1 vertebral level;

L4 vertebral level

Question 11

Define McBurney’s point and what can be found around that area.

Answer 11

A region halfway between the Anterior Superior Iliac Spine (ASIS) and the umbilicus (belly button). The appendix can be found in that area, frequently in retrocecal position.

Question 12

What are the common types of contrast dyes used for imaging technology of the abdomen?

Answer 12

Arteriograms can visualize abdominal vasculature. An oral enema can be used to visualize the digestive viscera.

Question 13

In a radiograph, the left kidney can be seen more _______ to the right kidney. Also, the spleen is located under ribs ____ and can easily _______ if there is a fracture at this location.

Answer 13

Superior;
Ribs 9-11;
Rupture leading to massive internal bleeding.

Question 14

When viewing an image from an MRI scan, air can be seen as _____ in color, bone can be seen as ____ and soft tissue can be seen as ____. What dyes can be used to visualize hollow organs and arteries?

Answer 14

Black;
White;
Gray;
Contrast dyes.

Question 15

Define ruga and where they can be found.

Answer 15

Ruga are internal muscular folds of the stomach that can stretch out to allow the stomach to distend after a large meal.

Question 16

What is the significance of the Nutcracker Syndrome, as shown in a MRI scan?

Answer 16

This describes structures that can be compressed in a space between the aorta and SMA. An aortic aneurysm might squeeze the pancreas, 3rd part of duodenum and left renal vein in this area.

Question 17

Define the linea alba. How does it differ from the arcuate line?

Answer 17

The midline of the rectus abdominus sheath. Arcuate line makes up the inferior portion of the rectus sheath.

Question 18

An appendectomy is performed at _________ ________ between the ASIS and umbilicus. This would be found in the ______ quadrant.

Answer 18

McBurney’s Point;

Lower right quadrant