The Canine Abdomen Flashcards
What are the cranial and caudal boundaries of the abdominal cavity?
Cranial = the diaphragm
Caudal = upper plane of the pelvic cavity
What type of membrane is the peritoneum and where is it found?
Serous membrane
This lines the abdominal cavity
What is the peritoneum made of?
A layer of mesothelial cells supported by a thin layer of connective tissue.
Where is the peritoneal cavity?
Between the parietal peritoneum and the visceral peritoneum.
What are retroperitoneal organs?
Organs that are not suspended by mesentery.
Lie between the abdominal wall and the parietal peritoneum.
What is the linea alba?
- White line running down the ventral midline
- Dense collagenous bands
- Extends from xiphoid process to the prepubic tendon
What structures fuse to make the linea alba?
Fascias of the transverse abdominal muscle and internal and external abdominal obliques.
What does the linea alba contain?
A palpable umbilical scar
What are the 4 muscles present in the canine abdomen?
- External abdominal oblique
- Internal abdominal oblique
- Rectus abdominis
- Transverse abdominis
What are the origin and insertion points of the external abdominal oblique?
Origin = Last ribs
Insertion = An aponeurosis that inserts onto the linea alba
Which direction do the fibres run in the external abdominal oblique?
Caudoventrally
What are the origin and insertion points of the internal abdominal oblique?
Origin = Thoracolumbar fascia
Insertion = Rectus abdominis and linea alba. (by wide aponeurosis)
What direction do the fibres run in the internal abdominal oblique.
Cranioventrally
What is the difference between fascia and aponeurosis?
Collagen fibres in fascia run in random directions whereas aponeurosis have collagen fibres that run in one direction.
Where are the origin and insertion points of the transversus abdominis?
Origin = Transverse processes of lumbar vertebrae
Insertion = Aponeurosis onto linea alba
What direction do the fibres run in the transversus abdominis?
Transversely
Where are the origin and insertion points of the rectus abdominis?
Origin = Sternum
Insertion = Prepubic tendon
What direction do the fibres run in rectus abdominis?
Craniocaudally
What is the difference between tendons and aponeurosis?
Tendons have small, well-defined bundles of collagen fibres, whereas aponeurosis has flat sheets of collagen fibres.
What is the inguinal canal?
A short pathway through the abdominal muscles (in both sexes) for the vaginal process and the descent of the testis
What can be found within the inguinal canal?
External inguinal ring and internal inguinal ring.
What are the main blood vessels supplying the abdominal cavity?
- Cranial superficial epigastric artery and vein
- Caudal superficial epigastric artery and vein
What is mesentery?
A ouble layer of peritoneum that connects organs to the body wall (gives pathway to nerves, blood vessels and lymphatic ducts)
What is omentum?
A double layer of peritoneum from the stomach or proximal part of the duodenum
