The Abdominal Wall

Question 1

What are the superior boundaries of the abdomen?

Answer 1

The diaphragm

Question 2

How may a stab injury in the chest region cause protrusion of abdominal organs such as small intestine?

Answer 2

The diaphragm changes it’s shape as we breath in and out. This means the size of abdominal cavity changes along with our breathing. As we breath out, the dome curvature of the diaphragm increase which allow some of the abdominal viscera to come to the chest region. It should be noted that some abdominal organs are protected by lower ribs.

Question 3

Describe the lower border of the abdominal cavity?

Answer 3

The lower border of abdominal cavity is the inlet of the true pelvis. The lower limit of the pelvis is bounded by a transverse (well sagging) sheet of muscle called the pelvic diaphragm