GI Session 3 Flashcards
What is the purpose of the tendinous intersections which divide the rectus abdominis?
Damage less devastating
What is the linea alba?
Aponeurotic fibres from the three abdominal muscles where they meet near the midline
What are the layers of the abdominal muscle wall from superficial to deep?
External oblique
Internal oblique
Transversalis abdominis
What forms the anterior and posterior walls of the rectus sheath?
Anterior: external abdominal oblique +1/2 internal
Posterior: 1/2 internal and transversalis abdominis
What is the purpose of the rectus abdominis?
Contain it to prevent it from bowing
What are the layers of the abdominal wall fascia from superficial to deep?
Rectus sheath
Transversalis fascia
Peritoneum
Greater omentum
What is the function of the greater omentum?
Mobile fat which is can be used to isolate an area of infection e.g. in appendicitis
What is the arcuate line?
Line at umbilicus above which the posterior rectus sheath is present and below which only the anterior rectus sheath is present
Where is the arcuate line found in relation to the umbilicus?
1/3 of the distance between the umbilicus and pubic symphysis
What is a Pfannstiel incision?
1/3 of the distance between umbilicus and pubic symphysis above pubic symphysis where an incision for caesarean is made which will be hidden by pubic hair
What is divarication of recti?
Apparent hernia seen in midline actually due to laxity of linea alba after it has been stretched and become thin
What can cause divarication recti?
Obesity
Ageing
Post-surgery
Post-partum
What is rectus sheath heamatoma?
Blood accumulates in anterior rectus sheath which travels down to arcuate line and up anterior surface –> large visible bruise on abdominal surface darkest at arcuate line
How is rectus sheath heamatoma identified?
Pt lies flat and if legs/head raised this is very painful
Why do incisions for surgery have to be in aponeurosis fibres?
Sutures ‘cut out’ so don’t hold
Where are the surgical bites in midline and transverse incisions?
Midline: linea alba
Transverse: external oblique aponeurosis
Where is appendicectomy carried out?
McBurney’s point located 2/3 from the umbilicus to the R ASIS
What muscle-splitting incision must be used to cut through the abdominal muscles in appendicectomy?
Grid iron
What is ectopia cordis?
Uncommon congenital condition where the heart develops on the abdominal wall and is at high risk of fibrillation due to knocks
What happens in patent urachus?
Allantois duct fails to close and recede –> urine exiting via umbilicus
How does patent urachus present in an older male pt?
BPH –> bladder outflow obstruction –> increased pressure in bladder –> urachus opens
How is patent urachus differentiated from patent vitellointestinal duct which presents similarly?
Use small catheter to inject radio-visible dye and see what path it takes
What is a urachal cyst?
Urine filled cyst located at the umbilicus
What is exomphalos?
Umbilical defect where viscera are covered by peritoneum and amnion but are located outside of the body
What is gastoschisis?
Vertical herniation to the R of the umbilicus where viscera are not covered by peritoneum and amnion and are outside of the body
What type of pain can the pancreas and aorta cause and why?
Central back pain as they are retroperitoneal
What is referred pain?
Pain perceived at a site distant from the site of cause
Why is referred pain seen more commonly in children?
Brain is less developed
What causes somatic nerve pain?
Pain from noxious stimulus to proximal part of a somatic nerve –> perceived pain in distal dermatome of the nerve
Give an example of somatic referred pain.
Causeof pain in flank at T10 level –> felt at umbilicus
Give two causes of right iliac fossa pain due to somatic referred pain.
Shingles
R lower lobe pneumonia
What causes visceral referred pain?
In thorax and abdomen visceral afferent pain fibres follow sympathetic fibres back to same spinal cord segment that gave rise to preganglionic sympathetic fibres –> CNS perceives it as coming from somatic portion supplied by same spinal cord segment
How does appendicitis explain visceral referred pain?
Appendicitis pain –> visceral sensory nerve –> T10 spinal segment –> brain perceives pain as coming from T10 somatic sensory nerves –> umbilical pain
What causes visceral pain?
Ischaemia
Abnormally strong muscle contraction
Inflammation
Stretch
What stimuli do not cause visceral pain?
Touch
Burning
Cutting
Crushing