Overview Anterior Abdominal Wall Flashcards
The function of the abdomen and abdominal cavity
flexible container for the abdominal organs
provides sites for muscle attachment
provides bony protection to certain organs
Boundaries of the abdominal cavity
anterior - abdominal wall
posterior - vertebral column
superior - diaphragm
inferior - pelvic inlet–> plane that extends from the pubic symphysis back to the lumbar spine
How is the abdominal wall an indefinite boundary of the abdomen?
The anterior abdominal wall transitions into the lateral abdominal wall which transitions into the posterior
Functions of the anterior abdominal wall
-support the trunk
-support the abdominal viscera
-manage intra-abdominal pressure during respiration
-move the trunk and maintain posture
Layers of the anterior abdominal wall
skin
superficial fascia
muscles
tranversalis fascia
extraperitoneal adipose
parietal peritoneum–> inside the abdominal cavity
What spinal nerves predominantly innervate the area of the anterior abdominal wall?
spinal nn. T7-T12 - thoracoabdominal and subcostal nn.
spinal nerve level umbilicus
T10
spinal nerve level xiphoid process
T5
spinal nerve level nipple
T4
Describe Scarpa’s fascia- one type of superficial fascia of the ant. abdominal wall
thin, membranous, right underneath camper’s fascia
-can be sutured
Describe Camper’s fascia- most superficial fascia of the anterior abdominal wall
- most superficial, thick, fatty
–> can’t suture not strong enough
What does the arcuate line designate?
corresponds to where the inferior epigastric artery is perforating the RA
-demarcates the transition between the aponeurotic posterior rectus sheath and the TA
What are the boundaries of the abdominal quadrants?
midline through the body and through the umbilicus
Quadrant of small intestine
all 4
Quadrant of stomach
LUQ, RUQ
Quadrant of large intestine
all 4
Quadrant of Gallbladder
RUQ
Quadrant of Pancreas
RUQ, LUQ
Quadrant of right kidney, left kidney
RIGHT: RUQ, right kidney
LEFT: LUQ, left kidney
Quadrant of spleen
LUQ
Contents of the inguinal canal
4 cm long, parallel to the inguinal ligament
openings are called rings
occupied by:
-males: spermatic cord
-females: round ligament
Superficial inguinal ring
‘V’ shaped defect in the external oblique aponeurosis within the Hasselbach’s triangle
Deep inguinal ring
at the midpoint of the inguinal ligament
the deep ring is formed by the transversalis fascia which provides the posterior covering of the contents of the inguinal ring
Boundaries of the inguinal canal
floor: inguinal ligament reinforced medially by lacunar ligament
anterior wall: EO aponeurosis reinforced laterally by the internal oblique
posterior wall: transversalis fascia reinforced by conjoint tendon
Coverings of the spermatic cord
external spermatic fascia–> cremasteric fascia–> internal spermatic fascia
Contents of the spermatic cord
artery and vessel of ductus deferens
ilioinguinal nerve
ductus deferens
testicular plexus
testicular artery
genitofemoral n. genital branch
cremasteric a. and v. (within the muscle)
pampiniform plexus (testicular veins)- veins that form a plexus around the testicular artery in the center
What is an inguinal hernia?
protrusion of the peritoneal sac through a weakened abdominal wall
peritoneal sac goes through abdominal wall
What is dangerous about an inguinal hernia in relation to the viscera?
the viscera may become trapped and twisted, compromising blood supply
Risk factors for inguinal hernia
obesity, aging, genetics, being male, certain occupations
Indirect inguinal hernia
bowel passes lateral to inf. epigastric vessels
** abdominal contents pass through rings and canal
congenital
most common > 66%
Direct inguinal hernia
bowel passes medial to inferior epigastric vessels
**bowel DOES NOT go into the spermatic cord
acquired
less common < 33%
What is the ductus deferens and its purpose?
thick-walled tube in the male reproductive system that transports sperm cells from the epididymis, where the sperm are stored prior to ejaculation.
The ductus deferens is a muscular tube that is located within the spermatic cord and is a major component of the male reproductive system. It is a continuation of the epididymis and is involved in transporting spermatozoa from the epididymis to the ejaculatory ducts.
Iliohypogastric n. function (L1)
sensory & postganglionic sympathetic innervation of skin overlying lower anterior abdominal wall; sensory, postganglionic sympathetic & motor (lmn) innervation of muscles of the anterior abdominal wall
lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (L2-3) function:
sensory & postganglionic sympathetic innervation of the skin overlying the lateral aspect of the thigh
