Overview Anterior Abdominal Wall

Question 1

The function of the abdomen and abdominal cavity

Answer 1

flexible container for the abdominal organs

provides sites for muscle attachment
provides bony protection to certain organs

Question 2

Boundaries of the abdominal cavity

Answer 2

anterior - abdominal wall
posterior - vertebral column
superior - diaphragm
inferior - pelvic inlet–> plane that extends from the pubic symphysis back to the lumbar spine

Question 3

How is the abdominal wall an indefinite boundary of the abdomen?

Answer 3

The anterior abdominal wall transitions into the lateral abdominal wall which transitions into the posterior

Question 4

Functions of the anterior abdominal wall

Answer 4

-support the trunk
-support the abdominal viscera
-manage intra-abdominal pressure during respiration
-move the trunk and maintain posture

Question 5

Layers of the anterior abdominal wall

Answer 5

skin
superficial fascia
muscles
tranversalis fascia
extraperitoneal adipose
parietal peritoneum–> inside the abdominal cavity

Question 6

What spinal nerves predominantly innervate the area of the anterior abdominal wall?

Answer 6

spinal nn. T7-T12 - thoracoabdominal and subcostal nn.

Question 7

spinal nerve level umbilicus

Answer 7

T10

Question 8

spinal nerve level xiphoid process

Answer 8

T5

Question 9

spinal nerve level nipple

Answer 9

T4

Question 10

Describe Scarpa’s fascia- one type of superficial fascia of the ant. abdominal wall

Answer 10

thin, membranous, right underneath camper’s fascia
-can be sutured

Question 11

Describe Camper’s fascia- most superficial fascia of the anterior abdominal wall

Answer 11

• most superficial, thick, fatty
  –> can’t suture not strong enough

Question 12

What does the arcuate line designate?

Answer 12

corresponds to where the inferior epigastric artery is perforating the RA

-demarcates the transition between the aponeurotic posterior rectus sheath and the TA

Question 13

What are the boundaries of the abdominal quadrants?

Answer 13

midline through the body and through the umbilicus

Question 14

Quadrant of small intestine

Answer 14

all 4

Question 15

Quadrant of stomach

Answer 15

LUQ, RUQ

Question 16

Quadrant of large intestine

Answer 16

all 4

Question 17

Quadrant of Gallbladder

Answer 17

RUQ

Question 18

Quadrant of Pancreas

Answer 18

RUQ, LUQ

Question 19

Quadrant of right kidney, left kidney

Answer 19

RIGHT: RUQ, right kidney

LEFT: LUQ, left kidney

Question 20

Quadrant of spleen

Answer 20

LUQ

Question 21

Contents of the inguinal canal

Answer 21

4 cm long, parallel to the inguinal ligament

openings are called rings

occupied by:
-males: spermatic cord
-females: round ligament

Question 22

Superficial inguinal ring

Answer 22

‘V’ shaped defect in the external oblique aponeurosis within the Hasselbach’s triangle

Question 23

Deep inguinal ring

Answer 23

at the midpoint of the inguinal ligament

the deep ring is formed by the transversalis fascia which provides the posterior covering of the contents of the inguinal ring

Question 24

Boundaries of the inguinal canal

Answer 24

floor: inguinal ligament reinforced medially by lacunar ligament

anterior wall: EO aponeurosis reinforced laterally by the internal oblique

posterior wall: transversalis fascia reinforced by conjoint tendon

Question 25

Coverings of the spermatic cord

Answer 25

external spermatic fascia--> cremasteric fascia--> internal spermatic fascia

Question 26

Contents of the spermatic cord

Answer 26

artery and vessel of ductus deferens ilioinguinal nerve ductus deferens testicular plexus testicular artery genitofemoral n. genital branch cremasteric a. and v. (within the muscle) pampiniform plexus (testicular veins)- veins that form a plexus around the testicular artery in the center

Question 27

What is an inguinal hernia?

Answer 27

protrusion of the peritoneal sac through a weakened abdominal wall peritoneal sac goes through abdominal wall

Question 28

What is dangerous about an inguinal hernia in relation to the viscera?

Answer 28

the viscera may become trapped and twisted, compromising blood supply

Question 29

Risk factors for inguinal hernia

Answer 29

obesity, aging, genetics, being male, certain occupations

Question 30

Indirect inguinal hernia

Answer 30

bowel passes lateral to inf. epigastric vessels ** abdominal contents pass through rings and canal congenital most common > 66%

Question 31

Direct inguinal hernia

Answer 31

bowel passes medial to inferior epigastric vessels **bowel DOES NOT go into the spermatic cord acquired less common < 33%

Question 32

What is the ductus deferens and its purpose?

Answer 32

thick-walled tube in the male reproductive system that transports sperm cells from the epididymis, where the sperm are stored prior to ejaculation. The ductus deferens is a muscular tube that is located within the spermatic cord and is a major component of the male reproductive system. It is a continuation of the epididymis and is involved in transporting spermatozoa from the epididymis to the ejaculatory ducts.

Question 33

Iliohypogastric n. function (L1)

Answer 33

sensory & postganglionic sympathetic innervation of skin overlying lower anterior abdominal wall; sensory, postganglionic sympathetic & motor (lmn) innervation of muscles of the anterior abdominal wall

Question 34

lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (L2-3) function:

Answer 34

sensory & postganglionic sympathetic innervation of the skin overlying the lateral aspect of the thigh