GI Flashcards
Name 3 functions of the abdomen
- Protect and house major organs
- Assist in breathing
- Assist in bodily functions
Describe the anterior border of the abdominal cavity
3 flat muscles:
- External oblique
- Internal oblique
- Transversus abdominus
Two vertical muscles:
- Rectus abdominus
- Pyramidalis (sometimes absent)
Ribs
What is the superior border of the abdominal cavity?
Diaphragm
What is the inferior border of the abdominal cavity?
Pelvic inlet
Describe the location of the external obliques
From lower 8 ribs to iliac crest and aponeurosis
Describe the location of the internal obliques
From the inferior border of the lower 3 ribs to fascia, iliac crest, lateral part of inguinal ligament and aponeurosis
Describe the location of the transverses abdominus
From the costal cartilage of the lower 6 ribs, the iliac crest, lateral part of inguinal ligament to the aponeurosis, pub crest and pectineal line
Where is the arcuate line?
3/4 of the way down the abdomen
What is the arcuate line?
The point where all the abdominal anterior wall muscles move on top of the rectus sheath
What is the principal blood supply to the anterior abdominal wall muscles?
Superior epigastric artery (from internal thoracic artery)
Inferior epigastric artery (from external iliac artery)
Which spinal nerves innervate the anterior abdominal wall muscles?
T7-L1
Describe the posterior borders of the abdominal cavity
3 muscles:
- Quadratus lumborum
- Psoas major & minor
- Iliacus
Vertebral bodies
Describe the inguinal region
The area between the anterior abdominal wall and the thigh
What structure does the descent of the testes form?
Inguinal canal
Where does the inguinal canal start and end?
Deep inguinal ring (in tranversalis fascia)
Superficial inguinal ring (in aponeurosis of external oblique)
Name the contents of the spermatic cord
Pampiniform plexus of veins Ductus deferens Artery to ductus deferens Genital branch of genitofemoral nerve Testicular artery Sympathetic nerves Lymphatic vessels Remnants of process vaginalis
What structure does the external oblique aponeurosis become in the spermatic cord?
External spermatic fascia
What structure does the internal oblique fascia become in the spermatic cord?
Cremastic fascia
What structure do the internal obliques become in the spermatic cord?
Cremastic muscle
What structure does the transversalis fascia become in the spermatic cord?
Internal spermatic fascia
Define an inguinal hernia
A protrusion of a peritoneal sac through a weakened area of the abdominal wall into the inguinal canal (with or without abdominal contents)
Describe an indirect inguinal hernia
Herniation through the inguinal canal, lateral to the blood vessels
Describe a direct inguinal hernia
Herniation through the posterior wall of the inguinal canal, medial to the blood vessels
What is the name of the ‘neck’ which divides the greater and lesser abdominal sacs?
Epiploic foramen
Which abdominal organs are retroperitoneal?
Ascending Colon Descending Colon Rectum Kidneys Pancreas Duodenum
Which abdominal organs are on a mesentery?
Small intestine
Transverse colon
Sigmoid colon
Define an omenta
Double folds of peritoneum passing from the stomach and duodenum to other organs or the body wall
Define an abdominal ligament
Varied double layers of peritoneum which span between two organs or an organ and a body wall
