The Abdomen 1

Question 1

How do lumbar vertebrae change in size?

Which transverse process is longest?

Which transverse process is shortest and thickest?

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Label image

Answer 2

Question 3

What are intervertebral discs?

Describe structure?

Answer 3

• 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.

Question 4

Label this image with:

Lateral mass

Sacro-iliac joint

Spinous process

Promontory

Anterior sacral foramen

Answer 4

Question 5

What is the sacrum made up of?

Answer 5

• 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

Question 6

What is the coccyx?

Answer 6

• 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

Question 7

Label this image with:

spinal cord

conus medullaris

filum terminale

Answer 7

Question 8

Label this image with:

spinal nerve

cauda equina

Answer 8

Question 9

Label this image

Answer 9

Question 10

Label image

Answer 10

Question 11

Label image with soft tissue anatomy

Answer 11

Question 12

Label the large intestine components and the psoas muscle?

Answer 12

Question 13

Can you point out the renal outlines?

Answer 13

Question 14

Describe the kidneys?

Shape?

Where?

Height?

Answer 14

• 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

Question 15

What difference is there between renal position on inspiration and expiration?

Answer 15

2cm higher on expiration

Can check whether an opacity is in the kidney or not

Question 16

What is Phleboliths?

Answer 16

• 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

Question 17

What is shown in this image?

Answer 17

Aortic aneurysm,

calcified to make it dense enough to see