Surgical And Abdominal Wall Anatomy Flashcards
(12 cards)
What is the abdominal wall divided into?
The anterior wall, right and left lateral walls and the posterior wall
What is the name of the boundary between the anterior and lateral walls?
The boundary is indefinite and therefore called the anterolateral abdominal wall
What is the anterolateral abdominal wall bounded by superiorly and inferiorly?
Bounded superiorly by the cartilages of the 7th to 10th ribs and the xiphoid process of the sternum. Inferiorly bounded by the inguinal ligament and the superior margins of the anterolateral aspects of the pelvic girdle (Iliad crests, pubic crests and pubic symphysis)
What does the anterolateral abdominal wall consist of?
Consists of skin, subcutaneous tissue (superficial fascia/fat), muscles and their aponeuroses, deep fascia, extraperitoneal fat and parietal peritoneum.
Where is the umbilicus found?
At spinal level L3
What is the epigastric fossa and what is commonly felt here?
A slight depression in the epigastric region, just inferior to the xiphoid process. Particularly noticeable when a person is in the supine position because the abdominal organs are spread out.
Heartburn commonly felt at this site
What is the linea alba and why is it visible in lean individuals?
Aponeuroses of the abdominal muscles, separating the left and right rectus abdominis.
Visible in lean individuals because of the vertical skin groove superficial to it.
What is a divarication of recti?
When the linea alba is lax, the rectus abdominis contract and the muscles spread apart
What are the pubic crest and symphysis? Where can they be felt?
The upper margins of the pubic bones and the cartilaginous joints that unite them
Can be felt at the inferior end of the linea alba
What is the inguinal groove?
A skin crease that is parallel and just inferior to the inguinal ligament (runs between ASIS and pubic tubercle). Marks the division between the abdominal wall and the thigh
What are the semilunar lines?
Slightly curved, tendinous line on either sid elf the rectus abdominis
What is the Arcuate Line (Douglas’ Line)?
Where is it found?
Where the fibrous sheath stops (inferior limit of the posterior layer of the rectus sheath).
Found 1/3 of the way from the umbilicus to the pubic crest.
