Posterior Abdomen

Question 1

What is the median arcuate ligament?

Answer 1

Tendinous band of the diaphragm that unite the left and right crura

Connect the crura anterior to the aorta

Question 2

What is the medial arcuate ligament?

Answer 2

Superior thickening of the psoas fascia that overlies the psoas major muscle

Question 3

What is the lateral arcuate ligament?

Answer 3

Superior thickening of the quadratus lumborum fascia that overlies the quadratus lumborum muscle

Question 4

Describe the openings in the diaphragm and what goes through them

Answer 4

Inferior vena cava foramen (T8) - IVC, branches of right phrenic nerve

Esophageal Hiatus (T10) - Esophagus, anterior and posterior vagal trunks, esophageal branches of left gastric vessels

Aortic Hiatus (T12) - Aorta, thoracic duct, azygous vein

Question 5

What is the innervation of the diaphragm?

Answer 5

Phrenic

Question 6

What is the blood supply to the kidney?

Answer 6

Musculophrenic a.

Pericardiacophrenic a.

Superior phrenic, a.

Inferior phrenic a.

Question 7

What is the blood supply to the suprarenal gland?

Answer 7

Superior suprarenal artery

Middle suprarenal artery

Inferior suprarenal artery

Question 8

Describe the course of the splanchnic nerves

Answer 8

Originate off the sympathetic trunk in the thorax, descend through the diaphragm, and enter the celiac ganglion on the aorta

Question 9

Describe the course of the subcostal nerve

Answer 9

Ventral ramus of T12, passes beneath lateral arcuate ligament and courses laterally

Question 10

What is the iliopsoas test?

Answer 10

Patient flexes thigh against resistance of examiner’s hand

Painful response indicates inflammation involving the psoas muscle

Positive sign may suggest appendicitis

Question 11

What is an abdominal aortic aneurysm?

Answer 11

A balloon-like swelling in wall of the abdominal aorta

Question 12

What is a real calculus?

Answer 12

Kidney stone

Crystals formed in the kidney when excess calcium forms a mass with other waste or minerals

Question 13

What are renal cysts?

Answer 13

Abnormal sac or closed cavity filled with fluid that forms on the kidney; can have many causes, often asymptomatic

Question 14

What is a pelvic kidney?

Answer 14

Kidneys fail to ascend and remain at the brim of pelvis

Question 15

What is a horseshoe kidney?

Answer 15

Fusion of lower poles of the two kidneys.

May impinge on ureters, blocking the passage of urine

Question 16

What is a unilateral double kidney?

Answer 16

Double kidney with separate ureters/vessels on one side

May cause urine blockage

Question 17

What is a rosette kidney?

Answer 17

Fusion of kidneys at their hila

Question 18

What is a bifid ureter?

Answer 18

Ureters may join in the lower third of their course, open through a common orifice, or open independently into bladder