L4 - Abdominal Wall and Hernia Flashcards
What partitions the abdominal and thoracic cavities?
The diaphragm - septum transversum + muscular ingrowth.
Which vertebral segment is uniquely mammalian?
The lumbar vertebrae.
What are the 9 zones of the abdomen?
Looking at a diagram, from right to left and top to bottom:
Right hypochondria, epigastric, left hypochondria
Right lumbar, umbilical, left lumbar
Right inguinal, hypogastric, left inguinal
What are the superior, posterior, anterior and inferior boundaries of the abdominal cavity?
Superior = diaphragm muscle.
Posterior = Bony (vertebral bodies, Muscular (Iliopsoas, quadratus lumborum, transversus abdominis)
Anterior = External oblique, internal oblique, transversus abdominus and rectus abdominis
Inferior = Pelvic inlet/diaphragm
Why is the rectus abdominis segmented?
Reflect somite segmentation - each segment is supplied by different nerves.
What is the rectus sheath?
Aponeuroses of all 3 muscles (external + internal oblique, transversus abdominis) insert into and form the rectus sheath
Aponeurosis = sheet-like tendon.
What are the 3 functions of the abdominal wall?
- Containment / protection / strength
- Respiration and voice projection
- Posture / stability
The abdominal wall plays a role in creating and controlling intra-abdominal pressure.
What is the midline partition in the rectus sheat (line that separates your abs) called?
Linea alba
What is the Scarpa’s fascia attached to, and what is the function if it?
Scarpa’s fascia is attached to linea alba and the inguinal ligament.
Functions to compartmentalise the lower abdomen from the thigh.
What are the two types of superficial fascia of the abdominal body wall?
A) Camper’s fascia (fatty)
B) Scarpa’s fascia (membranous)
What are the 8 layers of the abdominal body wall?
Superficial to deep
- Skin
- Camper’s and Scarpa’s fascia
- External obliques
- Internal obliques
- Transversus abdominus
- Transversalis fascia
- Extraperitoneal fat
- Peritoneum
What is the inguinal canal and describe the two rings.
Inguinal canal is a space through the body wall.
Deep inguinal ring = halfway point of inguinal lig.
Superficial ring = medial end of inguinal lig.
What passes through the inguinal canal for male and female?
Male - spermatic cord
Female - Round ligament (Lig. Teres) of the uterus
What is the conjoint tendon?
Internal oblique and transversus abdominis meet.
Which abdominal muscle layer has a muscualr cord that runs tinto the scrotum?
The spermatic cord - from the internal obliques.
