neurovascular supply of anterolateral abdominal wall

Question 1

list the nerves involved in the innervation of the anterolateral abdominal wall in order

Answer 1

• thoracoabdominal
• 7-9th cutaneous branches
• subcostal nerves
• iliohypogastric
• ilioinguinal

Question 2

origin of the thoracoabdominal nerve

Answer 2

continuation of 7th-11th intercostal nerves distal to costal margin

Question 3

distribution of thoracoabdominal nerve

Answer 3

muscles of anterolateral abdominal wall and overlying skin

Question 4

course of thoracoabdominal nerve

Answer 4

• runs between 2nd and 3rd layers of abdominal muscles
• branches enter subcutaneous tissue as lateral cutaneous branches of T10-11 (in anterior axillary line) and anterior cutaneous branches of T7-T11 (parasternal line)

Question 5

origin of 7-9th cutaneous branches

Answer 5

7-9th intercostal nerves

Question 6

distribution of 7-9th cutaneous branches

Answer 6

skin of right and left hypochondriac regions

Question 7

course of 7-9th cutaneous branches

Answer 7

anterior divisions continue across costal margin in subcutaneous tissue

Question 8

origin of subcostal nerves

Answer 8

spinal nerve T12

Question 9

distribution of subcostal nerves

Answer 9

muscles of anterolateral abdominal wall and overlying skin, superior to iliac crest and inferior to umbilicus

Question 10

course of subcostal nerves

Answer 10

• runs along inferior border of 12th rib
• then passes onto subumbilical abdominal wall between 2nd and 3rd layers of abdominal muscles

Question 11

origin of iliohypogastric nerve

Answer 11

as superior terminal branch of anterior ramus of spinal nerve L1

Question 12

distribution of iliohypogastric nerve

Answer 12

skin overlying iliac crest, upper inguinal and hypogastric regions, internal oblique and transverse abdominis muscles

Question 13

course of iliohypogastric nerve

Answer 13

• pierces transversus abdominis muscle to course between 2nd and 3rd layers of abdominal muscles
• branches pierce external oblique aponeuroses of most inferior abdominal wall

Question 14

ilioinguinal nerve origin

Answer 14

as inferior terminal branch of anterior ramus of spinal nerve L1

Question 15

distribution of ilioinguinal nerve

Answer 15

skin of lower inguinal region, mons pubis, anteiror scrotum or labium majestic and adjacent medial thigh, internal oblique and transversus abdominis

Question 16

course of ilioinguinal nerve

Answer 16

• passes between 2nd and 3rd layers of abdominal muscles
• then transverse inguinal canal

Question 17

list the arteries involved in blood supply to anterolateral abdominal wall in order

Answer 17

• musculophrenic arter
• superior epigastric artery
• 10th and 11th posterior intercostal arteries
• subcostal artery
• inferior epigastric artery
• deep circumflex iliac artery
• superficial circumflex iliac artery
• superficial epigastric artery

Question 18

musculophrenic artery origin

Answer 18

internal thoracic artery

Question 19

musculophrenic artery distribution

Answer 19

superficial and deep abdominal wall of hypochondriac region, anterolateral diaphragm

Question 20

course of musculophrenic artery

Answer 20

descends along costal margin

Question 21

superior epigastric artery origin

Answer 21

internal thoracic artery

Question 22

distribution of superior epigastric artery

Answer 22

rectus abdominis muscle, superficial and deep abdominal wall of epigastric and upper umbilical regions

Question 23

course of superior epigastric artery

Answer 23

descends in rectus sheath deep to rectus abdominis

Question 24

10th and 11th posterior intercostal arteries origin

Answer 24

aorta

Question 25

10th and 11th posterior intercostal arteries distribution

Answer 25

superficial and deep abdominal wall of lateral (lumbar and flank) region

Question 26

10th and 11th posterior intercostal arteries course

Answer 26

arteries continue beyond ribs to descend in abdominal wall between internal oblique and transversus abdominis muscles

Question 27

subcostal artery origin

Answer 27

aorta

Question 28

subcostal artery distribution

Answer 28

superficial and deep abdominal wall of lateral (lumbar and flank) region

Question 29

subcostal artery course

Answer 29

• runs superiorly and enters rectus sheath
• runs deep to rectus abdominis

Question 30

inferior epigastric artery origin

Answer 30

external iliac

Question 31

inferior epigastric artery distribution

Answer 31

rectus abdominis muscle, deep abdominal wall of pubic and inferior umbilical regions

Question 32

course of inferior epigastric artery

Answer 32

• runs superiorly and enters rectus sheath
• runs deep to rectus abdominis

Question 33

deep circumflex iliac artery origin

Answer 33

external iliac

Question 34

deep circumflex iliac artery distribution

Answer 34

iliacus muscle and deep abdominal wall of inguinal region, iliac fossa

Question 35

deep circumflex iliac artery course

Answer 35

runs on deep aspect of anterior abdominal wall, parallel to inguinal ligament

Question 36

superficial circumflex iliac artery origin

Answer 36

femoral artery

Question 37

superficial circumflex iliac artery distribution

Answer 37

superficial abdominal wall of inguinal region and adjacent anterior thigh

Question 38

superficial circumflex iliac artery course

Answer 38

runs in subcutaneous tissue along inguinal ligament

Question 39

superficial epigastric artery origin

Answer 39

femoral artery

Question 40

superficial epigastric artery distribution

Answer 40

superficial abdominal wall of pubic and inferior umbilical regions

Question 41

superficial epigastric artery course

Answer 41

runs in subcutaneous tissue towards umbilicus