Abdominal wall anatomy Flashcards
At what vertebral Lebel is the transpyloric plane of the abdomen?
L1
Name the main structures that the transpyloric plane passes through.
Fundus of GB
Hila of kidneys
First part of duodenum
Neck of the pancreas
Origin of SMA
Origin of portal vein
Pylorus of stomach
Hilum of spleen
At which vertebral level does the trans tubercular plane cross through?
L4
Where do the vertical lines of the abdominal regions pass between?
A point halfway between the pubic tubercle and the associated ASIS.
What marks the lower margin of the thorax and start of abdomen?
Costal margin
What structures form the costal margin?
Costal cartilages anteriorly
Ribs 7-10 laterally
Ribs 11-12 posteriorly
What is the linea alba?
A fibrous structure that runs down the midline of the abdomen in the median plane.
Where does the linea alba run between?
Xiphoid process and pubic symphysis.
What is the linea alba formed by?
The fusion of the aponeurosis of the muscles of the anterior abdominal wall.
What is the pubic symphysis?
The midline cartilaginous structure that unites the superior rami of the left and right pubic bones.
What are the layers of the anterior abdominal wall from external to internal?
Skin
Superficial fascia
Muscles and associated fascia
Parietal peritoneum
What are the 3 ‘flat’ muscles of the anterior abdominal wall?
External obliques
Internal obliques
Transverse abdominis
What are the 2 ‘vertical’ muscles of the anterior abdominal wall?
Rectus abdominis
Pyramidalis
Where are the flat muscles of the abdominal wall located?
Laterally.
How do the flat muscles strengthen the anterior abdominal wall and reduce the risk of hernias?
By running in different directions and the fibres ‘crossing’ each other.
In the anteromedial aspect of the abdominal wall, each flat muscle forms what?
An aponeurosis.
What is an aponeurosis?
A broad, flat tendon
What do the aponeuroses of the anterior abdominal Wal, cover?
The rectus abdomens muscle.
The aponeurosis of the flat muscles of the anterior abdominal wall become entwined in the midline and form what?
The linea alba.
What is the order of the flat muscles of the abdomen from external to internal?
External obliques
Internal obliques
Transversus abdominis
In which direction do the fibres of the external obliques run?
Inferomedially
What is the innervation of the external obliques?
Thoracoabdominal nerves (T7-T10)
Subcostal nerve (T12)
What are the actions of the external obliques?
Contralateral rotation of the torso
What is the origin of the external obliques?
Ribs 5 - 12
What is the attachment of the external obliques?
Iliac crest + pubic tubercle
In what direction do the fibres of the internal obliques run?
Superomedially
What is the innervation of the internal obliques?
Thoracoabdominal nerves (T7-T11)
Subcostal nerve (T12)
Branches of lumbar plexus
What are the functions of the internal obliques?
Bilateral contraction compresses abdomen
Unilateral contraction ipsilaterally rotates torso
What is the origin of the internal obqliues?
Inguinal ligament
Iliac crest
Lumbodorsal fascia
What is the attachment of the internal obliques?
Ribs 10-12
In what direction do the fibres of the transversus abdominis run?
Transversely
What is found deep to the transverse abdominis?
Transversals fascia
What is the innervation of the transverse abdominis?
Thoracoabdominal nerves (T7-T11)
Subcostal nerve (T12)
Branches of lumbar plexus
What is the function of the transverse abdominis?
Compression of abdominal contents
What is the origin of the transverse abdominis?
Inguinal ligament
Costal cartilages 7-12
Iliac crest
Thoracolumbar fascia
What is the attachment of the transverse abdominis?
Conjoint tendon
Xiphoid process
Linea alba
Pubic crest
Where is the rectus abdominis found?
Either side of the midline in the abdominal wall.
What splits the rectus abdominis into 2?
Linea alba
What do the lateral borders of the rectus abdominis create?
Linea semilunari (surface marking)
What structures transversely intersect the rectus abdominis?
Tendinous intersections (fibrous strips)
What is the innervation of the rectus abdominis?
Thoracoabdominal nerves (T7-T11)
What are the functions of the rectus abdominis?
Depresses the ribs
Stabilises the pelvis during walking
Assists flat muscles in compressing abdominal viscera
What is the origin of the rectus abdominis?
Crest of pubic bone
What are the attachments of the rectus abdominis?
Xiphoid process
Costal cartilage of ribs 5-7
What is the rectus sheath formed by?
The aponeuroses of the 3 flat muscles.
What does the rectus sheath enclose?
The rectus abdominis and pyramidalis muscles
Posterior intercostal nerves
Superior epigastric artery
Inferior epigastric artery