The Abdomen 1 Flashcards
How do lumbar vertebrae change in size?
Which transverse process is longest?
Which transverse process is shortest and thickest?
Vertebral bodies increase in size from L1 to L5
Transverse process of L3 – longer than other lumbar transverse processes
Transverse process of L5 – shorter and thicker than other lumbar transverse processes
Label image
What are intervertebral discs?
Describe structure?
- Lie between adjacent vertebrae
- Have outer ring of fibrocartilage (annulus) and inner soft, pulpy, high elastic structure called the nucleus pulposus (pulp)
- Form strong joints, permit movement of the vertebral column, and absorb vertical shock.
- Under compression, they flatten, broaden, and bulge from their intervertebral spaces.
Label this image with:
Lateral mass
Sacro-iliac joint
Spinous process
Promontory
Anterior sacral foramen
What is the sacrum made up of?
- Usually 5 vertebrae completely fused in the adult (16-18) yrs to form a single bone
- The sacrum (and coccyx) form the posterior aspect of the bony pelvis
- Anterior sacral foramina (4 pairs) communicate with the sacral canal
What is the coccyx?
- Small, triangular bone composed of typically four (but may be 3 or 5) fused bones
- Fused in the adult to form a single bone
- Sacrum & coccyx form posterior aspect of bony pelvis
Label this image with:
spinal cord
conus medullaris
filum terminale
Label this image with:
spinal nerve
cauda equina
Label this image
Label image
Label image with soft tissue anatomy
Label the large intestine components and the psoas muscle?
Can you point out the renal outlines?
Describe the kidneys?
Shape?
Where?
Height?
- Paired organs
- The shape resembles kidney beans
- Retroperitoneal (i.e. are behind the peritoneal lining of the abdominal cavity)
- Are located between the levels of the 12th thoracic vertebra and the 3rd lumbar vertebra
- The right kidney is slightly lower than the left
What difference is there between renal position on inspiration and expiration?
2cm higher on expiration
Can check whether an opacity is in the kidney or not
What is Phleboliths?
- Calcification in a vein
- Can be associated with various musculoskeletal conditions and venous insufficiency
- Generally regarded as ‘normal variant’ due to age related processes
- Can be confused with bladder calculi
What is shown in this image?
Aortic aneurysm,
calcified to make it dense enough to see
