(11) Abdomen Flashcards
(179 cards)
bony landmarks of abdominal wall and pelvis
xiphoid process iliac crest anterior superior iliac spine pubis tubercle symphis pubis
how to make rectus abdomens muscles more prominent
pt raised head and shoulders
or
lifts legs from supine position
abdominal structures: RUQ
liver - lower margin palpable @ right total margin
gallbladder - inferior surface of liver
pylorus
duodenum m- deep, not palpable
hepatic flexure of colon
head of pancreas
abdominal aorta - visible pulsation, palpable in upper abdomen
abdominal structures: LUQ
spleen - lateral to and behind stomach, protected by 9-11th ribs, tip may be palpable below left costal margin in small % of healthy adults (easily palpable in splenomegaly) splenic flexure of colon stomach body and tail of pancreas - not palpable transverse colon
abdominal structures: RLQ (4)
cecum
appendix
ascending colon
right ovary
abdominal structures: LLQ
sigmoid colon
descending colon
left ovary
abdomen or abdominopelvic cavity
- lies between thoracic diaphragm and pelvic diaphragm
- contain 2 continuous cavities: abdominal and pelvic cavities enclosed by flexible multilayered wall of muscles and sheet-like tendons
- houses most of digestive organs, spleen, parts of urogenital system
- lining this and folding over visor such s stomach and intestines are parietal and visceral peritoneum
CVA
costovertebral angle
formed by lower border of 12th rib and transverse processes of upper lumbar vertebrae
- where to check for kidney tenderness
Pelvic Cavity structures
terminal uterus
bladder
pelvic genital organs
loops of small and large intestine at times
Bladder
hollow reservoir w/ strong smooth muscle walls composed of detrusor muscle
- 400-500ml
- if distended palpable above symphysis pubis
GI: common or concerning symptoms
- abdominal pain (acute/chronic)
- indigestion, N/V including blood, loss of appetite, early satiety
- difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), painful swallowing (odynophagia)
- change in bowel function
- diarrhea, constipation
- jaundice
Urinary/Renal: common/concerning symptoms
- difficulty urinating, urgency, frequency
- suprapubic pain
- hesitancy, decreased stream in males
- excessive urination or excess urination at night
- urinary incontinence
- blood in urine
- flank pain and renal colic
3 broad categories of abdominal pain
visceral pain
parietal pain
referred pain
Visceral Pain
- occurs when hollow abdominal organs (intestine, biliary tree) contact unusually forcefully or are distended/stretched
- solid organs (liver) can also become painful when their capsules are stretched
- difficult to localize
- typically palpable near midlines at levels that vary according to structure involved
- also stimulated by ischemia
- varies in quality: gnawing, burning, cramping, aching (when severe: sweating, pallor, N/V, restlessness)
visceral pain in RUQ suggests?
liver distention against its capsule from hepatitis
Visceral periumbilical pain suggests?
acute appendicitis from distention of an inflammed appendix
- gradually changes to parietal pain in the RLQ from inflammation of the adjacent parietal peritoneum
for pain disproportionate to physical findings suspect intestinal mesenteric ischemia
parietal pain
- originated from inflammation of the parietal perineum (peritonitis)
- steady, aching pain usually more severe than visceral pain and more precisely located over the involved structure
- typically aggravated by coughing or movement
- pts usually prefer to lie still
referred pain (abdominal)
- felt more in distant sites which are innervated at approx the same spinal levels as the disordered structures
- often develops as in initial pain becomes more intense and seems to radiate or travel from the initial site
- may be palpated superficially or deeply but is usually localized
abdominal pain may be referred to ?
chest
spine
pelvis
(complicates assessment of abdominal pain)
in contrast to peritonitis, patient with colicky pain from a renal stone ?
move around frequently trying to find a comfortable position
pain of duodenal or pancreatic origin may be referred to ?
back
pain from the biliary tree may be referred to ?
right scapular region or right posterior thorax
pain from pleurisy or inferior wall MI may be referred to ?
epigastric area
types of visceral pain
RUQ or epigastric = biliary tree, liver Epigastric = stomach, duodenum, pancreas Periumbilical = small intestine, appendix, proximal colon Suprapubic or sacral = rectum Hypogastric = colon, bladder, uterus