GIS01 General anatomy of the abdomen and abdominal wall Flashcards
Name the skeletal boundaries of the abdominopelvic cavity.
5 lumbar vertebrae
Superior part of bony pelvis
Bony components of the inferior aspect of the thorax
Name the muscles of the anterolateral abdominal wall.
Transversus abdominis
Internal oblique
External oblique
Rectus abdominis
Pyramidalis
Name the muscles of the posterior abdominal wall.
Quadratus lumborum
Psoas major
Iliacus
The aponeurosis of external oblique merges with … at the midline, which runs from … to …
linea alba
xiphoid process
pubic symphysis
Name the line forming and marking the transition from muscle to aponeurosis in transversus abdominis.
Linea semilunaris / Semilunar line
Also lateral margin of rectus abdominis
Rectus abdominis is intersected by … which give rise to the “six-pack” seen in athletes.
transverse tendinous intersections
The anterior layer of the rectus sheath is formed by … while the posterior layer is formed by …
Aponeuroses of external oblique + 1/2 of internal oblique
Aponeuroses of 1/2 of internal oblique + transversus abdominis
At which point is there only the anterior wall of the rectus sheath but no posterior sheath? At this junction, the transversalis fascia is in direct contact with which muscle?
About midway between umbilicus & pubic symphysis
Rectus abdominis
The area of transition at which the posterior wall of rectus sheath disappears is called the …
Arcuate line
Name 3 nerves that innervate the anterior abdominal wall.
- Intercostal nerves (T5-T11)
- Subcostal nerve (T12)
- L1 spinal nerve: iliohypogastric & ilioinguinal nerve
The anterior rami / continuations of 7th-11th intercostal nerves into abdominal wall are called …
thoraco-abdominal nerves (T7-T11)
Which incision is the most versatile when approaching abdominal organs and why?
Midline incision
Linea alba is poorly vascularised => minimal blood loss
No nerves excised
Why incision provides access to the kidney, adrenal and spleen? Is it widely used today?
Paramedian incision
No, due to ligation of blood vessels and cutting of nerves
Which incision is made just above the umbilicus? Is it widely used today?
Transverse incision
No, due to poor healing
Which abdominal incision requires emptying / decompression of the bladder beforehand?
Pfannenstiel / Suprapubic transverse incision
