Week 3 - Abdominal Wall and Hernias Flashcards
State the proximal and distal attachments of rectus abdominis.
Proximal: Xiphisternum
Distal: Pubis
State the three main bony attachments for abdominal muscles.
From outermost to innermost:
- Ribs
- Iliac crest
- Transverse processes of vertebrae
State the direction in which fibres of the internal oblique muscle run.
Medially and superiorly
Define hernia.
Protrusion of part of the abdominal contents beyond the confines of the abdominal wall or its containing cavity
What is the usual sac for abdominal hernias?
Pouch of peritoneum
What are common abdominal contents found in a hernia sac?
- Loops of bowel
- Omentum
(Can be any structure found in the abdominal cavity)
What is the covering of a hernia sac?
Layers of abdominal wall through which the hernia has passed
State sites of potential weakness in the abdominal wall.
- Femoral canal
- Inguinal canal
- Umbilicus
- Previous incisions
What is the inguinal canal?
Oblique passage through lower part of abdominal wall
State the passage of structures in the inguinal canal for males.
Abdomen - Testis
State the passage of structures in the inguinal canal for females.
Round ligament: uterus - labium majus
What months does descent of the testis take place during?
7th - 8th months
What is the processus vaginalis?
A pouch of peritoneum
What is the gubernaculum?
Condensed band of mesenchyme that links the inferior portion of testis (gonad) to the labioscrotal swelling
When the processus vaginalis obliterates, what structure does it become?
Tunica vaginalis
What structure in the males runs from the peritoneal cavity to the scrotum (through the inguinal canal)?
Spermatic cord
What type of hernias can occur if the processus vaginalis fails to obliterate?
- Inguinal hernia
2. Scrotal hernia
State the layers of the abdominal wall (inguinal canal cross-section) from outermost to innermost.
- Skin
- Superficial fascia
- Deep fascia
- External oblique
- Internal oblique
- Transversus abdominus (conjoint tendon formed by IO and TA)
- Trasversali fascia
Which ligament is formed by the rolled free edge of external oblique?
Inguinal ligament
What forms the floor of the inguinal canal? What reinforces it medially?
Inguinal ligament, lacunar ligament
What forms the anterior boundary of the inguinal canal?
Aponeurosis of external oblique
What forms the roof of the inguinal canal?
Internal oblique and transverse abdominis
muscular arches + aponeurosis
What forms the posterior wall of the inguinal canal? What reinforces it medially?
Transversalis fascia
The conjoint tendon reinforces it medially
Where does the deep ring lie?
Trasversalis fascia