Anterior abdominal wall and inguinal region

Question 1

What is an aponeurosis?

Answer 1

Flattened tendinous structures that connects anterolateral abdominal wall muscles to linea alba

Question 2

What are the functions of the anterior abdominal wall muscles?

Answer 2

• movement
• increase intra-abdominal pressure
• flex and rotate the trunk
• compress and support abdominal viscera

Question 3

What is the nerve supply to the skin and muscle of the anterior abdominal wall?

Answer 3

• Thoraco-abdominal nerves (T7-T11)
• lateral thoracic cutaneous branches (T7-T10)
• subcostal nerve (T12)
• ilioinguinal nerve (L1)
• iliohypogastric nerve (L1)

Question 4

Which dermatome lies at the level of the:

• xiphisternum?
• umbilicus?
• pubic tubercle?

Answer 4

• T6
• T10
• T12/L1

Question 5

What name is given to the fascia in the perineum?

Answer 5

Colle’s fascia

Question 6

Attachments of Colle’s fascia form the boundaries of which perineal space?

Answer 6

deep perineal pouch

Question 7

In which direction do the fibres of the external oblique run?

Answer 7

downwards and forwards

Question 8

How is the aponeurosis of external oblique arranged at the point? which component of the spermatic cord is formed from this aponeurosis?

Answer 8

Aponeurosis of external oblique forms the anterior wall of the inguinal canal.
external spermatic fascia

Question 9

In which direction do the fibres of internal oblique run?

Answer 9

downwards and backwards

Question 10

Internal oblique is comparable to which muscle of the thoracic wall?

Answer 10

internal intercostal muscles

Question 11

How do the fibres of internal oblique relate to the inguinal ligament?

Answer 11

originates from the lateral third/two thirds.

Forms roof and then posterior wall as conjoint tendon posterior to superficial inguinal ring.

Question 12

How do the fibres of transversus abdominis relate to inguinal ligament?

Answer 12

superior to the deep inguinal ring, roof and then posterior wall as conjoint tendon.

Question 13

What is the conjoint tendon and where is it located?

Answer 13

union of internal oblique and transversus abdominis.

posterior to superficial inguinal ring

Question 14

What is the transversalis fascia and where is it located

Answer 14

thin connective tissue that is thickest at level of inguinal canal.
Located between transversus abdominis and parietal peritoneum.

Question 15

in which direction do the fibres of transversus abdominis run?

Answer 15

transversely

Question 16

What are the attachments of rectus abdominis? What is its function?

Answer 16

Sternum, 5th-7th rib, and pubic crest
function is flexion of vertebral column

Question 17

What is the linea alba?

Answer 17

collagen and elastin fibres that form a vertical line that divides the rectus abdominis muscle into left and right halves.
It’s the attachment point for the external oblique, internal oblique and transversus abdominis muscles.

Question 18

what is the linea semilunaris?

Answer 18

pair of curved tendinous lines of the anterior abdominal wall on the the left and right lateral side. Outlines the lateral edges of the rectus abdominus muscle.

Question 19

What is the arcuate line?

Answer 19

most inferior extension of posterior rectus sheath forming crescent-shaped border.

Question 20

which vessels run in the rectus sheath, deep to rectus abdominis muscle?

Answer 20

Inferior epigastric

Question 21

what is prune belly syndrome?

Answer 21

partial or complete absence of the abdominal muscles.

Question 22

From what is the tunica vaginalis derived?

Answer 22

from the process vaginalis

Question 23

What is the cremasteric reflex? Which segmental spinal nerve is involved?

Answer 23

When superomedial portion of thigh is stroked, cremaster muscle tightens and elevates the testes on the ipsilateral side.
Ilioinguinal nerve.

Question 24

In addition to the ductus deferens, what other structures run in the spermatic cord?

Answer 24

• Testicular Artery
• Testicular Vein
• Testicular Lymph Vessels
• Autonomic Nerves
• Artery to Vas deferens
• Process Vaginalis
• Cremasteric Artery
• Genital branch of genitofemoral nerve

Question 25

Where is the deep inguinal ring located?

Answer 25

2cms above the midpoint of the inguinal ligament

Question 26

What lies in the deep inguinal canal’s medial and lateral borders?

Answer 26

Medial - Inferior epigastric artery

Lateral - Transversalis Fascia

Question 27

What are the boundaries of the superficial inguinal ring?

Answer 27

Medial and lateral crura of the external oblique muscle

Question 28

What is the approx. length of the inguinal canal?

Answer 28

4cm

Question 29

what structure forms the anterior wall boundary of the inguinal canal?

Answer 29

external oblique aponeurosis

Question 30

what structure forms the posterior wall of the inguinal canal?

Answer 30

Transversalis fascia and Parietal peritoneum

Question 31

what structure forms the roof of the inguinal canal?

Answer 31

Internal oblique muscle and transversus abdominis

Question 32

what structure forms the floor of the inguinal canal?

Answer 32

The inguinal ligament

Question 33

Which nerve enters the inguinal canal through the deep ring? What does it supply?

Answer 33

The genital branch of genitofemoral nerve
Females - supplies labia majora and mons pubis
Males - supplies cremaster and skin of scrotum

Question 34

How does the ilioinguinal nerve enter the inguinal canal? What does it supply?

Answer 34

By running within the layers of the anterior abdominal wall between TA and IO. when the inguinal canal is formed, the nerve happens to be in the canal.
Supplies skin, mons pubis, labia majora, scrotum, adjacent medial thighs, TA and IO.

Question 35

What is inguinal Hernia

Answer 35

soft tissue protruding through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles.