Introduction to the Abdomen

Question 1

what are the borders of the abdomen

Answer 1

diaphragm down to pelvic girdle

Question 2

transpyloric plane

Answer 2

through pyloric region of the stomach. L1

Question 3

subcostal

Answer 3

plane across the bottom of the thoracic cage, L3

Question 4

supracristal

Answer 4

plane along the highest part of the pelvis (illiac crest), L4

Question 5

transtubercular

Answer 5

plane across the ASIS, L5

Question 6

ASIS stands for

Answer 6

anterior superior illiac spine, bony processes of the pelvic girdle

Question 7

what makes up the 9 abdominal wall regions

Answer 7

horizontally: subcostal and tanstubercular
vertically: R and L midclavicular

Question 8

5 layers of the abdominal wall

Answer 8

skin
superficial fascia
muscle and aponeuroses 
transversalis fascia
parietal peritoneum

Question 9

define aponeuroses

Answer 9

fibrous tissue which takes the place of a tendon in sheet like muscle.

Question 10

parietal peritoneum

Answer 10

peritoneum that lines the abdominal and pelvic cavities

Question 11

define visceral peritoneum

Answer 11

peritoneum that covers the surface of organs

Question 12

3 muscle layers lateral to the midline, external to internal

Answer 12

external oblique
internal oblique
transversus abdominus

Question 13

direction of e.oblique muscle fibres

Answer 13

down and forward

Question 14

where and how do the e.obliques end

Answer 14

become aponeuroses at midclavicular line and join the linea alba

Question 15

direction of transversus abdominus muscle fibres

Answer 15

horizontally around abdomen

Question 16

what are the 6 pack muscles and what encloses them

Answer 16

rectus abdominus, sheath formed by aponeuroses of the flat abdominal wall muscles and transversalis fascia

Question 17

what vessel can be found in the rectus sheath

Answer 17

epigastric arteries

Question 18

what is the linea alba

Answer 18

fibrous structure running down middle of the abdomen from xyphoid process to pubic symphysis. relatively avascular and aneural

Question 19

location and procedure for a gridiron incision

Answer 19

Mc Burneys point, 1/3 of the way between the R ASIS and umbilicus. used for appendectomy.

Question 20

Pfannenstiel incision and use

Answer 20

Suprapubic, for C-sections

Question 21

Kocher incision

Answer 21

Subcostal - liver and gall bladder procedures

Question 22

abdominal wall drains to which lymph nodes

Answer 22

axilliary and inguinal

Question 23

define hernia

Answer 23

protrusion of a tissue or organ through a tissue that normally retains it

Question 24

3 common hernia types

Answer 24

umbilical
inguinal
femoral

Question 25

define hydrocoele

Answer 25

collection of fluid in a small membranous region around the testicles

Question 26

where is the lumbar triangle, clinical relevance

Answer 26

in between external oblique and latissium dorsi.

Question 27

what is the inguinal canal

Answer 27

passageway through anterior abdominal wall, just above inguinal ligament

Question 28

inguinal ligament runs from what to what

Answer 28

ASIS to pubic tubercle

Question 29

where is the superficial inguinal ring

Answer 29

lies supero-lateral to the pubic tubercle

Question 30

location of the deep inguinal ring

Answer 30

lies between the midpoint of the inguinal ligament and the midinguinal point, 1 cm above inguinal ligament

Question 31

Hesselbach’s triangle, markers, hernia type

Answer 31

delineates the region of bulging with a direct inguinal hernia, made up of rectus abdominus, inferior epigastric artery and inguinal ligament

Question 32

Define mesentery

Answer 32

fold of peritoneum suspending organ from abdominal wall. often blood supply containing

Question 33

define secondary retroperitoneal

Answer 33

intraperitoneal that later becomes retroperitoneal e.g. descending colon.

Question 34

which parts of the gut have ventral and/or dorsal mesentery

Answer 34

foregut = both

midgut and hindgut = dorsal mesentery only

Question 35

describe the gut tube boundaries and blood supply of each

Answer 35

foregut: lower oesophageal sphincter to the major papilla of the duodenum. Coeliac trunk.
midgut: above to 2/3 of the way along the transverse colon. Superior mesenteric artery.
hindgut: above to rectum. Inferior mesenteric artery.

Question 36

Dermatome

Answer 36

An area of skin innervated by a single spinal nerve

Question 37

Where does foregut, midgut and hindgut abdominal pain refer to

Answer 37

F epigastric - T5-T9
M umbilibcall - T10 and T11
H pubic - T12 - L1

Question 38

what structures are contained in the inguinal canal, males and females

Answer 38

males - spermatic cord, ilioinguinal nerve, genital branch of genitofemoral nerve

females - round ligament of uterus, lymphatics from uterus, ilioinguinal nerve, genital branch of genitofemoral nerve

Question 39

what forms the inguinal canal in males

Answer 39

testicles are retroperitoneal, descend through anterior abdominal wall. also pulls a fold of peritoneum with it forming the tunica vaginalis

Question 40

Define peritoneum

Answer 40

Membranous covering of the gut tube and other abdominal structures.