Antero-lateral Abdominal Wall

Question 1

What 2 ‘lines’ in the body split the abdominal wall into its 4 quadrants

Answer 1

1. Median plane

2. Trans-umbilical plane (IV disc between L3 and L4)

Question 2

Name the 4 quadrants

Answer 2

1. Right and left upper

2. Right and left lower

Question 3

What 4 ‘lines’ in the body split the abdominal wall into its 9 regions

Answer 3

1. Left mid-clavicular
2. Right mid-clavicular
3. Sub-costal
4. Trans-tubercular (of the pelvis)

Question 4

Name the 9 regions

Answer 4

1. Right and left hypochondrium
2. Epigastric
3. Right and left lumbar
4. Umbilical
5. Right and left inguinal
6. Suprapubic

Question 5

Name the 5 distinct layers of the abdominal wall

Answer 5

1. Skin
2. Superficial fascia
3. Muscle and deep fascia
4. Extra-peritoneal fascia
5. Parietal peritoneum

Question 6

What is the fascia like that is found above the umbilicus

Answer 6

Similar to that found elsewhere in the body

Question 7

Name and describe the 2 layer’s of fascia found in the region below the umbilicus

Answer 7

1. Superficial (fatty) fascia = Camper’s fascia

2. Deep (membranous) fascia = Scarpa’s fascia

Question 8

Where does the Camper’s fascia continue over in both males and females

Answer 8

The inguinal ligament and into the fascia of the thigh and perineum

Question 9

What does the Camper’s fascia contribute to in males

Answer 9

Continues into the fascia of the penis and becomes the dartos fascia of the scrotum

Question 10

What does the Camper’s fascia contribute to in females

Answer 10

Retains the fatty layer and contributes to the fascia of the labia majora

Question 11

Where does the Scarpa’s fascia attach to in the abdominal wall

Answer 11

1. Pubic symphysis
2. Linea alba in the midline
3. Colles’ membrane (perineal)

Question 12

What fascia is formed when the Scarpa’s fascia fuses with the fascia of the thigh

Answer 12

Fascia lata

Question 13

What 3 structures does the Scarpa’s fascia contribute to in males

Answer 13

1. Fascia of the penis
2. Dartos fascia of the scrotum
3. Fundiform ligament of the penis

Question 14

What structure does the Scarpa’s fascia contribute to in females

Answer 14

Labia majora

Question 15

What is the rectus sheath

Answer 15

The aponeurosis of the external oblique muscles that covers the rectus abdominis

Question 16

What is an aponeurosis

Answer 16

A very thin flat tendon

Question 17

What do the abdominal muscles do during inspiration, and why

Answer 17

They tense to prevent the organs of the abdomen moving anteriorly

Question 18

Where do the external oblique muscle fibres pass from, and to

Answer 18

They pass from ribs 5-12 to the iliac crest and the linea alba

Question 19

Where does the aponeurosis of the external obliques stretch from, and to

Answer 19

The xiphoid process to the pubic symphysis

Question 20

What does the lower border of the external oblique aponeurosis form

Answer 20

The inguinal ligament

Question 21

What nerves innervate the external oblique muscle fibres

Answer 21

The anterior rami of T7-T12

Question 22

Where do the internal oblique muscle fibres pass from, and to

Answer 22

The thoracolumbar fascia, inguinal ligament and iliac crest TO ribs 9-12

Question 23

Where does the internal oblique muscle aponeurosis end

Answer 23

The linea alba, pectineal line and pubic crest

Question 24

What nerves innervate the internal oblique muscle fibres

Answer 24

The anterior rami of T7-L1

Question 25

Where do the transversus abdominis muscle fibres pass from, and to

Answer 25

The thoracolumbar fascia, inguinal ligament, iliac crest, costal cartilages of ribs 7-12 TO the linea alba, pubic crest and pectineal line

Question 26

What nerves innervate the transversus abdominis muscle fibres

Answer 26

The anterior rami of T7-L1

Question 27

Where do the rectus abdominis muscle fibres pass from, and to

Answer 27

The pubic tubercle, crest and symphysis TO the xiphoid process and costal cartilages of ribs 5-7

Question 28

What nerves innervate the rectus abdominis muscle fibres

Answer 28

Anterior rami of T7-T12

Question 29

Where do the pyramidalis muscle fibres pass from, and to

Answer 29

The pubis to the linea alba; anterior to the rectus abdominis

Question 30

What nerve innervates the pyramidalis muscle fibres

Answer 30

Anterior ramus of T12

Question 31

What is the peritoneum called that lines viscera

Answer 31

Visceral peritoneum

Question 32

How many folds are located on the posterior surface of the anterior abdominal wall

Answer 32

3

Question 33

Name the 3 folds on the posterior surface of the anterior abdominal wall

Answer 33

1. Median umbilical ligament
2. Medial umbilical ligament
3. Lateral umbilical fold

Question 34

What superficial arteries supply the antero-lateral abdominal wall

Answer 34

1. Musculophrenic branch of the internal thoracic artery

2. Superficial epigastric and superficial circumflex of the femoral artery

Question 35

What are the 2 main superficial veins that drain the antero-lateral abdominal wall

Answer 35

1. Thoracoepigastric veins to the axillary vein

2. Superficial epigastric veins to the femoral vein

Question 36

What are the 5 main deep arteries (or groups) that supply that antero-lateral abdominal wall

Answer 36

1. Superior epigastric artery
2. Intercostal arteries
3. Lumbar arteries
4. Deep circumflex iliac artery
5. Inferior epigastric artery

Question 37

What 2 deep nerves innervate the musculature

Answer 37

1. Iliohypogastric nerve

2. Ilioinguinal nerve

Question 38

Where does lymph drain to in the superficial region below the umbilicus

Answer 38

To the superficial inguinal nodes

Question 39

Where does lymph drain to in the superficial region above the umbilicus

Answer 39

To the anterior and posterior axillary nodes

Question 40

Where does lymph located deeper in the body travel to

Answer 40

1. Para-sternal nodes via the internal thoracic artery

2. External iliac nodes via the external iliac artery

Question 41

What nerves supply the skin, muscle and parietal peritoneum of the antero-lateral abdominal wall

Answer 41

1. T7-T11 (intercostal)
2. T12 (subcostal)
3. L1 (iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal)