Anterior abdominal wall and Hernia- Wilson Flashcards
Why is differential diagnosis in the abondmical cavity sometimes difficult?
- there are lots of different organ systems in the abdominal cavity: GI, kidney, endocrine, urinary system
- there are not a lot of landmarks
- damage in one region of the abdominal cavity can be similar to damage in another region (appendicitis symptoms similar to endometriosis)
- size and shape of the abdominal cavity is variable even within an individual during a certain period of time
Rigid muscles during physical abdominal examination can denote what?
-inflammation of some underlying structure as rigid muscles do protective guarding of the organs to prevent further damage
OR
if the physician touches the pt with cold hands; use warm hands to prevent involuntary muscular contraction
What is the difference between palpation, percussion, and auscultation?
palpation: feel, push the abdomen wall anteriorly and laterally
percussion: thumping the abdomen to listen for sounds of hollow or solid organs
auscultation: using stethoscope; abdomen is very noisy; lack of noise is pathological and is an emergency situation
How are the positions of GI or peritoneal organs in the abdominal cavity?
GI tract is constantly changing its position depending on the state of nutrition or how soon or late the individual ate or drank
What are examples of factors that contribute to the variability in size and shape of the abdomen?
- pregnancy
- obesity
- weight loss
- hernias
What dermatome is the umbilicus found in fat and thin individuals?
dermatome T10 in both fat and thin individuals
Which dermatome is the inguinal fold located?
L1
What is the landmark for the lymphatic drainage of the anterior abdominal wall?
umbilicus
The skin and lymphatic above the umbilicus will go to which nodes?
anterior axillary lymph nodes
The skin and lymphatic below the umbilicus will go to which nodes?
superficial inguinal lymph nodes
-the lower half of the anus is also drained here
What vertebral level is the umbilicus located?
L3, L4
What boundary divides the abdominal cavity into two?
linea alba
What boundary is between the muscles that form the anterior abdominal wall and those that form the anterolateral abdominal wall?
linea semilunaris
The intersection of what two boundaries is the neck of the gallbladder found?
subcostal margin and the linea semilunaris
What planes divide the abdomen into 4 quadrants?
- transumbilical plane
- medial plane
What planes divide the abdomen into 9 regions?
- midclavicular lines to the midinguinal point
- subcostal plane
- transtubercular plane
Of the nine abdominal regions, which ones are the most important and why?
The centrally located ones:
- epigastrium
- periumbilical
- hypogastrium
Visceral pain arising from inflammation of a GI tract structure will be referred to the midline.
Which is the main organ found in the upper left quadrant of the abdomen?
stomach
Why is visceral pain arising from inflammation of a GI tract structure referred to the midline?
the GI tract originates embryologically as a midline structure
Sensory fibers from the stomach to the duodenum return to which spinal segments? Where is pain referred to?
T5, T6, T7
Pain is referred to the epigastrium.
Sensory fibers from the jejunum to the right colic flexure return to which spinal segments?
T8, T9, T10
Pain is referred to the umbilical region.
Sensory fibers from the transverse colon to the rectum return to which spinal segments?
T11, T12, L1
Pain is referred to the hypogastrium.
Inflammation in the upper half of the anus can produce pain where in the abdominal regions?
in the hypogastrium
Deep to the skin, the superficial fascia of the abdomen forms which two distinct layers? What are characteristics of each?
Camper’s fascia: fat (may be removed by liposuction)
Scarpa’s fascia: membranous, very little fat
Why is Scarpa’s fascia important clinically?
below the umbilicus you can anchor sutures in this scarpa fascia to close up abdominal surgeries; the fascia is strong enough and will keep the wound closed
The Scarpa’s fascia is continuous with what fascia in the perineum?
- Dartos fascia surrounding the penis and scrotum
- Colles’ fascia near anus
these are all the same fascia just differently named due to differing locations
In males you may have rupture of the penile urethra after trauma in the area. This liquid material may dissects its way along the course of the Scarpa’s fascia. The urine from a rupture penile urethra may extravasate into the what areas?
- superficial perineal pouch
- scrotum
- penis
- anterior abdominal wall to the umbilicus (where Scarpa’s fascia fuses with the rectus sheath)
Why does liquid from penile urethral rupture not travel to the thigh or anal region?
No liquids extravascate to thigh or anus because Scarpa’s fascia fuses with the fascia lata in the thigh and the perineum body
Before the evolution of lungs & the thorax, the muscles of the trunk of vertebrates was organized into 3 layers: external, internal and innermost. The 3 intercostal muscles will continue into the abdomen & form what 3 layers of abdominal oblique muscles?
- external abdominal oblique
- internal abdominal oblique
- transverse abdominis
How do the 3 layers of abdominal oblique muscle run?
- external abdominal oblique: runs inferomedially (hands into pocket)
- internal abdominal oblique; runs superolaterally perpendicular to the external abd oblique m.
- transverse abdominis: rune transversely