Surface Anatomy - Abdomen Flashcards
How can we define the quadrants of the abdomen?
One vertical line through the umbilicus
One horizontal line through the umbilicus
How can we define the 9 regions of the abdomen?
Draw the 2 midclavicular lines: - From midpoint of clavicle - To midpoint of inguinal ligament - On both sides Draw the transpyloric plane: - Horizontally from level of tips of 9th costal cartilages Draw the transtubercular line: - Horizontally across tubercles of iliac crest (upper L5 VB)
What is the superior boundary of the abdomen?
The thoracic outlet:
- Xiphoid process
- Costal margin
What rib forms the lowest part of the costal margin?
Rib 10
Where is the tip of rib 11 palpable?
Just anterior to midaxillary line
Where is the tip of rib 12 level with?
Spinous process of L1
What forms the inferior boundary of the abdomen?
Pubic bones
What forms the posterior boundary of the abdomen?
Lumbar vertebral bodies
How can the spinous processes be more easily palpated?
By asking someone to lie prone and placing a pillow under their abdomen
Where can the transverse processes of lumbar vertebrae be palpated?
5cm lateral to spinous processes
Just beyond bulk of erector spinae muscles:
- Deep palpation = May be uncomfortable
What muscles form the walls of the abdominal cavity?
External obliques Internal obliques Transversus abdominis Rectus abdominis Quadratus lumborum
What muscle forms the roof of the abdominal cavity?
Diaphragm
What muscle forms the floor of the abdominal cavity?
Pelvic diaphragm
What muscles of the abdomen cannot be palpated? Why?
Roof (diaphragm)
Floor (pelvic diaphragm)
They are too deep
How can rectus abdominis be palpated?
Ask someone to lie supine
Place one hand above and one hand below of their umbilicus
Ask them to raise their head and shoulders off floor
A column of muscle either side of the midline = Rectus abdominis
How can the right external oblique be palpated?
Ask someone to lie supine
Ask them to rotate their trunk to the left
Oppose rotation by holding their right shoulder gently
Palpate near right iliac crest = Attachment of right external oblique will tighten
How can the left internal oblique be palpated?
Ask someone to lie supine
Ask them to rotate their trunk to the left
Oppose rotation by holding their right shoulder gently
Palpate between left iliac crest and umbilicus
How can quadratus lumborum be palpated?
Ask someone to lie prone
Ask them to raise shoulders
Anterior border of quadratus lumborum can be palpated just posterior to the midaxillary line
How can the erector spinae be palpated?
Ask someone to lie prone
Ask them to raise their head and shoulders
Palpate just lateral to lumbar spines
Why can most of the large neurovascular structures of the abdomen not be palpated?
Lie too deep within abdominal cavity
Why can the deep and superficial nerves of the abdomen not be palpated?
Deep nerves are too deep to palpate
Superficial nerves are too small to palpate
What are the superficial nerve branches to the abdominal wall?
Anterior and lateral cutaneous branches of: - Thoracoabdominal (T7-T11) nerves - Subcostal (T12) nerve Cutaneous branches of: - Iliohypogastric (L1) nerve - Ilioinguinal (L1) nerve
How can the aorta be palpated?
Compress against lumbar vertebrae by pressing down with both hands just lateral to midline
What are the surface markings of the abdominal aorta?
Vertical line to left of midline of the trunk:
- Runs from 2.5cm above transpyloric line
- Runs to 2.5cm below supracristal plane
What is the supracristal plane?
A transverse plane roughly at the level of L4 vertebra
What happens to the aorta at the supracristal plane?
Bifurcates into the common iliac arteries
At what level does the aorta enter the abdominal cavity? Via what and with what other structures?
T12 Via aortic hiatus of diaphragm With: - Azygos vein - Thoracic duct
Can the large veins of the abdomen be palpated?
No - they are too deep
What are the surface markings of the IVC?
Vertical line just to right of midline:
- From 2.5cm below supracristal plane (union of common iliac veins)
- To just above right 6th costal cartilage
At what level does the IVC leave the abdomen? Via what?
T8
Caval opening
What are the dimensions of the spleen?
10cm long
7cm wide
3-4cm thick
Where does the spleen lie?
On the left side
Posterior to ribs 9-11
Near midaxillary line
Is the spleen normally palpable?
No
What are the functions of the spleen?
Lymphocyte proliferation Immune surveillance Haematopoiesis: - Prenatally - In times of bone marrow stress Haemolysis Destruction of old platelets
What region of the abdomen does the liver fill?
Right hypochondrium
Describe the size of the right and left lobes of liver?
Right lobe is large
Left lobe is small and tapers towards left side of abdominal cavity