Abdominopelvic

Question 1

How does the diaphragm contribute to postural stability?

Answer 1

Increase intra-abdominal pressure together with abdominal contraction

Question 2

How does respiratory drive affect the postural activity of the diaphragm

Answer 2

Ventilation comes before postural control (more important for the body)
Increase respiratory drive (running) = will prioritise breathing, so postural stability decreases

Question 3

Contrast the actions of quadratus lumborum & psoas major on the lumbar spine

Answer 3

quadratus lumborum; compressing the 12th rib, compression on lumbar spine to provide stability during hip flexion

Psoas major has smaller moment arm for flexion or extension

Question 4

What does the abdominopelvic cavity contain?

Answer 4

Superiorly: Diaphragm
Inferiorly: Pelvic Floor
Posterior abdominal wall: Psoas Major and Quadratus Lumborum
Anterior abdominal wall: External Oblique Abdominals, Internal oblique and transversus
Anterior: Rectus Abdominis

Question 4

What is the role of abdominopelvic muscles in spinal stability

Answer 4

• control of the motion segment
• direct attachment on the vertebrae allows force to buckle the vertebral column for stability or displace the vertebra for mobility.
• increased abodminal pressure
• contraction of muscles that act across vertebral motion segments imposes compression on the joint

Question 5

What are the anterior and middle layers of the Thoracolumbar Fascia?

Answer 5

Attach to lumbar transverse process
Envelope Quadratus Lumborum
Posterior attachment for transversus abdominis and internal oblique

Question 6

What is the posterior layer of the thoracolumbar fascia?

Answer 6

Attach to thoracic, lumbar and sacral spinous process
Encloses erector spinae
Laterally fuses with middle layer

Blends with:

• erector spinae aponeurosis
• latissimus dorsi
• gluteus maximus

Question 7

What is quadratus lumborum innervated by?

Answer 7

Thoracolumbar ventral rami

Question 8

Which muscle is the best trunk flexor?

Answer 8

Rectus abdominis

Question 9

What are the functions of the thoracolumbar fascia?

Answer 9

Muscle attachment
Contribute to stability of the whole abdominal cavity
Forced transfer = ensure force is not always exerting on bony structures

Question 10

What forms the rectus sheath?

Answer 10

Anterior: aponeuroses of external oblique abdominal and ½ internal oblique abdominal

Posterior: aponeuroses of: ½ internal oblique abdominal transversus abdominis