Living Anatomy (abdomen)

Question 1

What is the mid inguinal point?

Answer 1

The midpoint of a line joining the pubic symphysis and ASIS

Question 2

What is the transtubercular plane?

Answer 2

A horizontal plane through the right and left iliac tubercle, level L5

Question 3

What is the subcostal plane?

Answer 3

Horizontal plane across the right and left costal margins in the midaxillary line, level L2/3

Question 4

What is the transpyloric plane?

Answer 4

Horizontal plane at the level of the tips of the right and left costal cartilages, L1 level

Question 5

How do you divide the abdomen into 9?

Answer 5

• Midclavicular planes
• Sub-costal plane
• Transtubercular plane

Question 6

How do you surface mark into 4 quadrants?

Answer 6

• Vertical line through the umbilicus (connecting the xiphisternum and symphysis pubis)
• Horizontal line through the umbilicus

Question 7

What vertebral level is the xiphisternal joint?

Answer 7

T8/9

Question 8

What vertebral level is the midpoint between inferior angle of scapula and top if the iliac crest?

Answer 8

T12

Question 9

What vertebral level is the umbilibus?

Answer 9

L3/4

Question 10

What vertebral level is the supra-cristal plane?

Answer 10

L4

Question 11

What vertebral level are the iliac tubercles?

Answer 11

L5

Question 12

What vertebral level are the ASIS and PSIS?

Answer 12

S2

Question 13

What vertebral level is the midpoint of the sacroiliac joint?

Answer 13

S2

Question 14

Describe the outline of the liver

Answer 14

• Point at right 5th rib MCL
• Lower end of sternum
• Left 5th ICS at MCL
• Costal margin at right midaxillary line

Question 15

Describe how to surface mark the spleen

Answer 15

• Ribs 9, 10 and 11

- From midaxillary line to the lateral border of the erector spinae muscles

Question 16

List the stages taken when examining the abdomen

Answer 16

• Inspection
• Auscultation
• Light palpation
• Deep palpation
• Percussion

Question 17

How is the kidney surface landmarked?

Answer 17

• Draw the transpyloric plane (L1 vertebral level)
• Hilum is 4-5cm from the posterior median line
• Inferior pole is 3-4cm above the iliac crests
• Superior pole is covered posteriorly by the 12th ribs
• Kidneys are 9-12cm long and 5-7cm broad
• Ureters extend vertically from the hila to the iliac fossae

Question 18

Why is the transpyloric plane important?

Answer 18

• Behind it lies the pyloris of the stomach, the 1st part of the duodenum, 1st lumbar vertebra and the origin of the superior mesenteric artery
• Also at the level of the hilum of each kidney
• The level where the rectus abdominis muscle meets the costal margin

Question 19

Describe the process of palpation of the kidneys

Answer 19

• Bimanual palpation (both hands are used)
• Left hand underneath, right hand used to palpate the upper abdominal wall
• Move the right and left hands up and down and ask the patient to breathe in and out to try and catch the kidney

Question 20

Where is inflammation of the kidney commonly felt?

Answer 20

• As backache
• If there is a kidney stone, pain can occur due to the ureter trying to push the kidney stone through the narrow constrictions. This pain is called renal colic