posterior abdominal wall

Question 1

what bones compose the posterior abdominal wall?

Answer 1

• ribs (11 and 12)
• lumbar vertebrae
• sacrum
• ilia

Question 2

what muscles compose the posterior abdominal wall?

Answer 2

• diaphragm
• quadratus lumborum
• psoas major (and minor)
• iliacus

Question 3

where is the diaphragm attached to?

Answer 3

the costal margin and vertebrae

Question 4

what are the 3 hiatuses of the diaphragm?

Answer 4

• T8
• T10
• T12

Question 5

what are the arteries and veins that supply the diaphragm?

Answer 5

superior and inferior phrenic vessels

Question 6

what are the nerves that supply the diaphragm?

Answer 6

• phrenic (C3-5) = motor

- intercostal (T5-11) and subcostal (T12) = sensory

Question 7

where does the IVC pass through the diaphragm?

Answer 7

T8

Question 8

where does the oesophagus pass through the diaphragm?

Answer 8

T10

Question 9

where does the aorta pass through the diaphragm?

Answer 9

T12

Question 10

where is the quadratus lumborum located?

Answer 10

• posterior to the kidneys

- extends from iliac crest to rib 12

Question 11

where is the quadratus lumborum attached?

Answer 11

attached laterally to the transversus adbominis muscle

Question 12

what is the function of the quadratus lumborum?

Answer 12

provides abdominal stability and causes lateral flexion

Question 13

what arteries and veins supply the quadratus lumborum?

Answer 13

lumbar vessels

Question 14

what nerves supply the quadratus lumborum?

Answer 14

lumbar (T12-L4)

Question 15

where does the psoas muscle originate?

Answer 15

the lumbar vertebrae

Question 16

where does the iliacus originate?

Answer 16

iliac fossa

Question 17

what is another term for the psoas major and minor converge?

Answer 17

iliopsoas

Question 18

where does the psoas and iliacus insert?

Answer 18

lesser trochanter femur and function as hip flexors

Question 19

what arteries and veins supply the psoas and iliacus?

Answer 19

lumbar vessels

Question 20

what nerves supply the psoas and iliacus?

Answer 20

femoral (L2-L4)

Question 21

what are the 3 categories of abdominal aorta branches?

Answer 21

• midline
• parietal
• visceral

Question 22

what branches branch from the midline abdominal aorta?

Answer 22

• coeliac (T12)
• superior mesenteric (L1)
• inferior mesenteric (L3)

Question 23

what branch branches from the parietal abdominal aorta?

Answer 23

lumbar vessels

Question 24

what branches from the visceral abdominal aorta?

Answer 24

• renal

- gonadal (L2)

Question 25

what does the abdominal aorta bifurcate into and where?

Answer 25

common iliac vessels at L4/5

Question 26

what size does an AAA get to before there is risk of rupture?

Answer 26

5.5cm

Question 27

what is the role of somatic abdominal innervation?

Answer 27

voluntary movement

Question 28

what is involved in somatic abdominal innervation?

Answer 28

- abdominal wall - intercostal - vertebral - intervertebral musculature

Question 29

what organ is responsible for somatic sensation?

Answer 29

skin

Question 30

what is the role of autonomic abdominal innervation?

Answer 30

unconscious control

Question 31

what is involved in the autonomic abdominal innervation?

Answer 31

- blood vessels - sweat glands - abdominal organs

Question 32

what nerve plexuses provides the somatic innervation?

Answer 32

- lumbar plexus | - sacral plexus

Question 33

what does the autonomic innervation unconsciously control?

Answer 33

- organs - smooth muscle - sweat glands

Question 34

what do the splanchnic nerves synapse to?

Answer 34

synapse to postganglionic neurones at specific central ganglia: the prevertebral ganglia

Question 35

where are the prevertebral ganglia located?

Answer 35

located anterior to the vertebral column and aorta

Question 36

where do the greater, lesser and least splanchnic nerves synapse?

Answer 36

at the coeliac and aorticorenal ganglion to immediate the suprarenal glands

Question 37

what nerve innervates the kidneys?

Answer 37

the least splanchnic nerve

Question 38

what are the 3 categories for abdominal pain?

Answer 38

- somatic - visceral - referred

Question 39

what are the key characteristics for somatic pain?

Answer 39

- well localised, sharp or stabbing | - felt in skin, muscle, fascia and parietal peritoneum

Question 40

what are the key characteristics for visceral pain?

Answer 40

- poorly localised, dull ache or throbbing | - caused by stretching, ischaemia or chemical damage

Question 41

what is the key characteristics of referred pain?

Answer 41

felt elsewhere than the affected structure

Question 42

where is the pain felt for the stomach (dermatomes)?

Answer 42

felt in the skin of the dermatomes (T5-9)

Question 43

where is the pain felt for the appendix (dermatomes)?

Answer 43

T10 (umbilicus)

Question 44

where is the pain felt for the gallbladder (dermatomes)?

Answer 44

T7-9 with parietal peritoneum involvement C3/4