Week 6 Content Flashcards
Identify and describe the boundaries of the abdominal wall.
Superior - right and left costal margins, xiphisternal joint
Inferior - a line on either side connecting the ASIS to the pubic symphysis
Lateral - vertical lines ascending from the ASIS on each side
Posterior - lumbar paravertebral musculature
Identify and describe the 4 planes of the abdomen.
Subcostal plane - line through the most inferior parts of the costal cartilage (10th rib), also passing through the body of L3
Transtubercular plane - line passes through the iliac tuberosities at the L5 level
Sagittal plane (2) - mid-clavicular lines, extends inferior from the mid-clavicle to the mid-inguinal point
Describe the transpyloric plane.
AKA Addison’s plane, a transverse plane that is slightly above the subcostal plane, through the body of L1
Describe the interspinous plane.
A transverse plane that is slightly below the transtubercular plane.
Name the 9 quadrants of the abdomen.
Upper region from R to L: R hypochondraic, epigastric, L hypochondraic
Middle region from R to L: R lumbar, umbilical, L lumbar
Lower region from R to L: R inguinal, hypogastric, L inguinal
Describe the contents of the RUQ.
Liver Gallbladder Right suuprarenal gland Right kidney Ascending colon (superior part)
Describe the contents of the LUQ.
Spleen Stomach Pancreas - body and tail Left kidney Transverse colon (left half) Descending colon (superior part)
Describe the contents of the RLQ.
Cecum Veriform appendix Right ovary Right ureter Most of ileum
Describe the contents of the LLQ.
Sigmoid colon Descending colon (inferior part) Left ovary Left ureter Left spermatic cord
Describe the layers of the abdominal fascia.
Just deep to skin is the superficial fascia’s fatty layer (Camper’s fascia) and then deep to that is the superficial fascia’s membranous layer (Scarpa’s fascia). Together the Camper’s fascia and Scarpa’s fascia make up the subcutaneous tissue.
Next deep structures are investing (deep) fascia covering the abdominal muscles: the external oblique, internal oblique, and transverse abdominis
Deep to the abs are transversalis fascia, then extraperitoneal fascia, and finally the parietal perironeum.
Which fascial layer continues as the fascia lata of the thigh?
Scarpa’s fascia, the superficial fascia’s membranous layer
Describe OINA for external oblique.
O: external surface of ribs 5-12
I: linea alba, pubic crest, iliac crest, pubic symphysis
N: inferior 5 thoracic nerves, subcostal nerve (T12), and iliohypogastric nerve (L1)
A: trunk flexion, rotation, lateral rotation; compress abdominal contents
Describe OINA for internal oblique.
O: thoracolumbar fascia, anterior iliac crest, lateral half of inguinal ligament
I: linea alba, pubic crest, inferior surface of ribs 11-12
N: lower 5 thoracic nerves, subcostal (T12) and iliohypogastric (L1) nerves
A: trunk flexion, rotation, lateral rotation; compress abdominal contents
Describe OINA for transversus abdominis.
O: TLF via lateral raphe, iliac crest, lateral 1/3 of inguinal ligament, internal surface of costal cartilages 7-12
I: linea alba, pubic crest, pubic synphysis
N: lower 5 thoracic nerves, subcostal (T12) and iliohypogastric (L1) nerves
A: compress and support abdominal viscera, tightens TLF
Describe OINA for rectus abdominis.
O: pubic symphysis, pubic crest
I: xiphoid process, costal cartilages 5 and 7
N: lower 5 thoracic nerves, subcostal (T12) and iliohypogastric (L1) nerves
A: trunk flexion; tenses anterior abdominal wall
Briefly describe the rectus sheath.
A dense fibrous sheath enclosing the rectus abdominis muscle, formed by the fusion of aponeuroses of the abdominal muscles
Where is the arcuate line?
Roughly at the level of the umbilicus, the point of transition where all 3 abdominal aponeuroses pass anteriorly.
Describe the rectus sheath above the level of the umbilicus, anteriorly and posteriorly.
Anteriorly: aponeuroses of external oblique and 1/2 of internal abdominal oblique
Posteriorly: aponeuroses of 1/2 of other internal oblique and TA
What is the linea alba?
Where the anterior and posterior walls of the rectus sheath meet and fuse in the anterior median line.
Describe the rectus sheath below the level of the umbilicus, anteriorly and posteriorly.
Anteriorly: aponeuroses of all 3 muscles now pass anteriorly over the rectus abdominis with no fascia from the muscles passing posteriorly
Posteriorly: a thin fascial film (transversalis fascia) remains posteriorly that protects the rectus abdominis from rubbing against the abdominal contents
Describe the innervation of the anterior abdominal wall.
Supplied by:
- ventral primary rami of thoracic spinal nerves T6-T11
- ventral primary rami of T12 (subcostal n.)
- ventral primary rami of L1 (iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal nerves)
Describe the cutaneous landmarks for innervation of the anterior abdominal wall.
T10 - umbilical area
T7 - xiphoid area
L1 - pubic area
Describe the arterial supply to the anterior abdominal wall.
Superior epigastric (branch of the internal thoracic artery) and Inferior epigastric (branch of the superficial epigastric artery off of the external iliac) enter the rectus sheath posterior to the rectus abdominis and anastomose with the rectus muscle
Posterior intercostal arteries that accompany intercostal nerves also supply anterior abdominal wall
Additional supply comes from the direct branches of the abdominal aorta and lumbar arteries
Describe caput medusae.
AKA medusa’s head
Distended superficial epigastric veins
Common in portal HTN, can be caused by liver failure
Describe the inguinal canal.
A passage from the abdominal cavity through the anterior abdominal wall that lies right above the inguinal ligament, formed by folds of the external oblique aponeurosis
Openings are called superficial and deep inguinal rings
Contents: inguinal nerve, blood and lymphatic vessels, spermatic cord in males, round ligament of the uterus in females
Where does the inguinal ligament insert?
ASIS to pubic tubercle
Describe the borders of Hesselbach’s triangle.
Medial border - rectus sheath
Lateral border - inferior epigastric artery
Inferior border - Poupart’s ligament (inguinal lig)
RIP
Triangle carries the inguinal canal and the external (superficial) inguinal ring
Compare and contrast acquired and congenital inguinal hernias.
Acquired (direct) hernias are caused by the wear and tear of living, such as childbirth, weight gain, and other muscle strain.
Congenital (indirect) hernias are present from birth and happen at points of weakness in the abdominal wall. Children’s hernias are almost always congenital. In men, the hernia will be within the spermatic cord.
Describe the peritoneum, including its layers and function.
A thin, transparent serous membrane that consists of 2 layers:
- Parietal peritoneum - lines abdominal wall
- Visceral peritoneum - lines the visceral organs
Space between is lined with serous fluid to allow frictionless movement between the wall and the organs and between organs
Not all organs are covered by the peritoneum
What is peritoneal effusion?
AKA Ascites, defined as >25 mL of fluid buildup in the peritoneal cavity
Can be caused by liver cirrhosis, HF, HTN, hepatic vein blockage
Sx: increased SOB
Describe the mesentery.
A double layer of peritoneum that encloses the abdominal organs
Provides a means of neurovascular communication and organ attachment to posterior abdominal wall
Contained with the fibrous tissue of the mesentery are blood and lymph vessels, nerves, lymph nodes, and adipose tissue
Describe the omentum.
A double layer of peritoneum that attaches the stomach to the body wall or to other abdominal organs
Greater omentum - fat-laden fold of peritoneum that connects stomach with transverse colon
Lesser omentum - connects the lesser curvature of the stomach and duodenum to the liver