FINALS ABDOMINAL Flashcards
4 ABDOMINAL QUADRANTS
● RUQ - Right Upper Quadrant
● LUQ - Left Upper Quadrant
● RLQ - Right Lower Quadrant
● LLQ - Left Lower Quadrant
o Normal contour of the abdomen.
o A straight horizontal line is observed
from the costal margin to the
symphysis pubis.
Flat
o Normal contour of the abdomen.
Sometimes called a convex abdomen.
The horizontal line now curves outward,
indicating an increase in abdominal fat
or a decrease in muscle tone.
Rounded
o Similar to the rounded abdomen, only
greater.
o This contour is anticipated in
pregnancy.
Protuberant
o Sometimes called a concave abdomen.
o The horizontal line now curves inward
toward the vertebral column, giving the
abdomen a sunken appearance.
Scaphoid
A subcutaneous manifestation of
intra-abdominal hemorrhage that manifests
as ecchymosis or discoloration of the flank.
Grey Turner Sign
A hemorrhagic discoloration in the umbilical
area due to intraperitoneal hemorrhage.
Cullen’s Sign
● A condition in which ascitic fluid collects in the
spaces in the abdomen.
● A fluid buildup between the 2 layers of the
peritoneum.
ASCITES
● Also known as stretch marks.
● Result from rapid stretching of the skin.
● Common with obesity and pregnant women.
STRIAE
● Result from areas of hemorrhage into the
dermis.
● Petechiae are tiny purple, red, or brown spots in
the skin.
PETECHIAL RASHES
Results from cutaneous portosystemic collateral
formation between distended and engorged
paraumbilical veins that radiate from umbilicus
across the abdomen to join systemic veins.
CAPUT MEDUSAE
Sticking out of the abdomen due to the
separation of rectus abdominis or the left and
right abdominal muscles.
DIASTASIS RECTI
A bulge that occurs when an organ pushes
through the tissue or muscle that contains it.
HERNIA
Abnormal Bowel sounds occur every ….
20s to 30 s.
Normal bowel Sounds occur…
5-30 per minute
