Nov 13 - Abdomen I: Abdominal Wall and Cavity

Question 1

Name the four boundaries of the abdomen

Answer 1

The superior, posterior, anterolateral and inferior

Question 2

What is the superior border of the abdomen?

Answer 2

The diaphragm (fifth intercostal space)

Question 3

What is the posterior border of the abdomen?

Answer 3

The lumbar vertebrae and quadratus lumborum muscles

Question 4

What is the anterolateral border of the abdomen?

Answer 4

The muscles of the abdominal wall

Question 5

What is the inferior border of the abdomen?

Answer 5

The pelvic brim

Question 6

What is the functional difference between the thorax and the abdomen?

Answer 6

The thorax houses organs to keep you alive (heart, lungs, etc.). The abdomen houses organs for the harvesting of feul (stomach, intestines, etc.)

Question 7

What is the main function of the abdomen?

Answer 7

It houses and protects the abdominal viscera - digestive organs, kidneys, spleen

Question 8

Name the five functions of the abdominal muscles

Answer 8

I. Protection of abdominal viscera
II. Movement of the trunk
III. Compressing the abdominal viscera
IV. Allow expansion of abdominal cavity (parturition, etc.)
V. Expelling abdominal contents (micturition, defecation, parturition, vomiting) - increase intra-abdominal pressure

Question 9

Name the four abdominal quadrants

Answer 9

The right and left upper quadrants and the right and left lower quadrants

Question 10

How are the four abdominal quadrants divided?

Answer 10

The right and left quadrants are divided down the midline (median plane). The upper and lower quadrants are divided through the transumbilical plane

Question 11

Name the three upper abdominal regions

Answer 11

The left and right hypochondriac region and the epigastric region

Question 12

Name the three middle abdominal regions

Answer 12

The left and right lumbar (flank) region and the umbilical region

Question 13

Name the three lower abdominal regions

Answer 13

The left and right iliac (inguinal) region (groin areas) and the hypogastric (pubic) region

Question 14

What divides the upper and middle regions?

Answer 14

The subcostal plane

Question 15

What divides the middle and lower regions?

Answer 15

The transtubercular plane

Question 16

What divides the left and right regions from the middle (vertical) region?

Answer 16

The midclavicular planes

Question 17

Name the layers of the anteriolateral abdominal wall from superficial to deep

Answer 17

Skin, superficial fascia, deep (investing) fascia, muscles, transversalis fascia, extraperitoneal fat/fascia and peritoneum

Question 18

What makes up the superficial fasica?

Answer 18

The camper fascia and the scarpa fascia

Question 19

What is the camper fascia?

Answer 19

The superficial fatty layer of subcutaneous tissue

Question 20

What is the scarpa fascia?

Answer 20

The deep membranous layer of subcutaneous tissue

Question 21

Name the four muscles of the anterolateral abdominal wall

Answer 21

The rectus abdominus, the exteral oblique, the internal oblique, the transversus abdominus

Question 22

Name the two muscles (as well as their function) of the posterior abdominal wall

Answer 22

The quadratus lumborum (stabilizes the vertebal column)

The psoa major (combines with the iliacus to form the iliopsoas, hip flexor

Question 23

What innervates the anterolateral abdominal wall?

Answer 23

The ventral rami of spinal nerves T7-L1.

Includes intercostal nerves (T7-T11), subcostal nerve T12, iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal nerves L1

Question 24

Name the primary blood vessels (arteries and veins) of the anterolateral abdominal wall

Answer 24

The superior epigastric vessels and branches of the musculophrenic vessels from the internal thoracic vessels.
The inferior epigastric and deep circumflex vessels from the external iliac vessels

Question 25

What is the inguinal canal?

Answer 25

4 cm long tube-like space within the lower part of the anterior abdominal wall

Question 26

Where is the inguinal canal found?

Answer 26

Begins at the deep inguinal ring and ends at the superficial inguinal ring

Question 27

What makes the floor of the inguinal canal?

Answer 27

The inguinal ligament

Question 28

What makes the anterior wall of the inguinal canal?

Answer 28

The external oblique aponeurosis

Question 29

What makes the roof of the inguinal canal?

Answer 29

It's formed by arched fibres of the internal oblique and transversus abdominis muscles

Question 30

What makes the posterior wall of the inguinal canal?

Answer 30

The transversalis fascia (laterally) and conjoint tendon (medially)

Question 31

Describe the superficial inguinal ring

Answer 31

Triangular opening in the external oblique aponeurosis

Question 32

Describe the deep inguinal ring

Answer 32

Opening in the transversalis fascia

Question 33

Name the contents of the inguinal canal in males

Answer 33

The spermatic cord and its coverings | The ilioinguinal nerve

Question 34

Name the contents of the inguinal canal in females

Answer 34

The round ligament of the uterus | The ilioinguinal nerve

Question 35

Name the contents of the spermatic cord

Answer 35

The vas deferens, the testicular artery and vein, the genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve and the lympatic vessels

Question 36

What is the role of the ilioinguinal nerve?

Answer 36

Sensory innervation of the scrotum and the labia majora

Question 37

What is the peritoneum?

Answer 37

Transparent membrane that covers most (but not all) abdominal organs. It secretes peritoneal fluid that lubricates the organs and prevents friction

Question 38

Describe the parietal and visceral peritoneum

Answer 38

The parietal peritoneum lines the abdominal wall. The visceral peritoneum covers the viscera

Question 39

Name the two main divisions of the peritoneal cavity

Answer 39

The greater sac (largest part of the cavity) and the lesser sac (smaller part)

Question 40

What is the greater omentum? Describe it

Answer 40

It's a double layer of peritoneum, impregnated with fat and blood vessels. It attaches to the stomach and transverse colon. The inferior border is free. It hangs down like an apron, covering the abdominal viscera

Question 41

What is the role of the of the greater omentum?

Answer 41

It prevent organs from sticking to the anterior abdominal wall or other each other (adhesions are bad). It's also very mobile, allowing it to migrate and wrap around an inflamed or infected organ (prevents the infection from spreading; ex. appendicitis)

Question 42

Name the three parts of the greater omentum

Answer 42

The gastrophrenic ligament The gastrosplenic ligament The gastrocolic ligament

Question 43

Name the opening to the lesser sac

Answer 43

The epiploic foramen

Question 44

What is the lesser sac

Answer 44

Aka the omental bursa. It is a pouch found dorsal to the stomach. It communicates with the greater sac via the epiploic foramen

Question 45

What is the problem with the lesser sac

Answer 45

Because the inferior recess of the lesser sac extends a considerable distance, infectious material from abscesses can collect here (peritonitis)

Question 46

What is the lesser omentum? Describe it

Answer 46

It's a double layer of peritoneum. It's made up of hepatoduodenal and hepatogastric ligaments (the hepatoduodenal ligament contains important blood and bile vessels going to and from the liver)

Question 47

What is a peritoneal ligament?

Answer 47

A double layer of peritoneum

Question 48

What connects the liver to the anterior abdominal wall?

Answer 48

The falciform ligament

Question 49

What is the mesentary?

Answer 49

It's a double layer of peritoneum that attaches organs to the posterior abdominal wall (mainly small intestine). It is a very mobile structure (makes the organs mobile). It contains blood/lymph vessels, fat and nerves.

Question 50

What does intraperitoneal mean?

Answer 50

Intraperitoneal organs are covered by visceral peritoneum

Question 51

What does retroperitoneal mean?

Answer 51

Retroperitoneal organs lie between the parietal peritoneum and the posterior abdominal wall

Question 52

Name the intraperitoneal organs

Answer 52

The stomach, the spleen, the liver and gallbladder, the small intestine (jejunum, ileum and a small part of the duodenum) and the large intestine (transverse colon, sigmoid colon)

Question 53

Name the retroperitoneal organs

Answer 53

The kidneys and suprarenal glands (adrenal glands), the pancreas, most of the duodenum and the large intestine (ascending and descending colon)