Abdominal Anatomy, Radiographic Positioning, and Pathologies

Comprehensive review flashcards covering abdominal anatomy, quadrant localization, radiologic positioning protocols (KUB, AAS, Decubitus, Bladder Shot), and abdominal pathologies based on course lecture notes.

Abdominal Quadrant Layout

The division of the abdomen into four clinical quadrants (RUQ, LUQ, RLQ, LLQ) displaying the relative locations of the liver, gallbladder, stomach, spleen, kidneys, pancreas, and intestinal tract.

Uric Acid Calculus

A radiolucent kidney stone that does not absorb X-rays and appears dark or invisible on standard plain abdominal radiographs.

Calcium Calculus

A radiopaque kidney stone that absorbs X-ray beams and visualizes as a dense, white structure on abdominal images.

Jejunum

The second division of the small intestine, forming part of its $20\text{--}22\,ft$ total length, characterized radiographically by a feathery appearance and functioning primarily in nutrient absorption.

Haustra

Recesses, pouches, or sacculations forming the wall of the large intestine ($5\,ft$ in length) that store water and vitamins while compacting and voiding waste.

Rugae

Prominent mucosal ridges or folds found in reservoir organs such as the stomach and urinary bladder that allow expansion and cause the organ to collapse when empty.

Perforation

A complete hole or breach through the entire wall thickness of a hollow organ in the digestive system, releasing food, fecal matter, or free air into the peritoneal cavity.

Free Air (Intra-abdominal)

Extraluminal gas within the peritoneal cavity resulting from digestive tract perforation that rises beneath the right hemidiaphragm on an erect radiograph.

Psoas Muscles

Paired retroperitoneal muscles located lateral to the lumbar spine that must be sharply visualized as a standard image evaluation marker of proper exposure technique and lack of rotation.

Kidneys (Anatomical Landmarks)

Retroperitoneal filtration organs situated between the levels of $T12$ and $L3$ that filter waste from blood capillaries into urine.

Biliary Duct System

The excretory duct system wherein the cystic duct from the gallbladder joins the common hepatic duct from the liver to form the common bile duct.

Hepatopancreatic Ampulla

The anatomical union of the common bile duct and the pancreatic duct that empties digestive fluids into the descending duodenum through the major duodenal papilla.

Body Habitus Gallbladder Variations

The anatomical positioning of the gallbladder across body types: high and transverse in hypersthenic individuals, intermediate in sthenic and hyposthenic types, and low, vertical, near the midline in asthenic types.

Urinary Bladder

A pelvic storage reservoir lined with rugae located anterior to the rectum (and superior to the prostate gland in males) that directs liquid waste through the urethra.

AP Supine Abdomen (KUB)

A routine supine projection performed at $40\,in$ SID ($75\text{--}85\,kVp$, $10\text{--}20\,mAs$) with the central ray perpendicular to the MSP at the iliac crest, or $1\,in$ below the crest to include the pubic symphysis, on full expiration.

Bladder Shot

A supplemental $10 \times 12\,in$ landscape radiograph with extended legs, centered perpendicular to the MSP $2\,in$ below the ASIS or $4\,in$ below the iliac crest, used when the urinary bladder is clipped on a standard KUB.

Upper Abdomen Projection

A $14 \times 17\,in$ landscape radiograph centered to the MSP at the level of the axilla on full expiration, designed to demonstrate both diaphragms and the upper abdomen when omitted on routine views.

AP Upright Abdomen

An erect projection performed at $40\,in$ SID ($80\text{--}85\,kVp$) centered perpendicular and horizontal to the MSP $1\,in$ below the iliac crest (or $2\,in$ above the crest per Merrill's) on full expiration to show air-fluid levels and subdiaphragmatic free air.

Acute Abdomen Series (AAS)

A three-part diagnostic protocol consisting of a PA chest radiograph ($72\,in$ SID, $100\text{--}120\,kVp$), an AP supine abdomen, and an AP upright abdomen to evaluate bowel obstruction and pneumoperitoneum.

Left Lateral Decubitus Abdomen

An alternative view for patients unable to stand (or aged $15\,years$ and younger) where the patient lies left side down for $10\,minutes$ so free intraperitoneal air rises against the liver shadow rather than the gastric bubble.

Jello Effect

The visceral organ movement that occurs after moving a patient into the decubitus position, requiring a 3 second pause after positioning and suspension of respiration on expiration before exposure.

Abscess

A localized cavity containing pus and surrounded by inflamed tissue within an organ or abdominal space.

Ileus

A functional failure of normal bowel peristalsis that causes intestinal obstruction, with viral, bacterial, or lobe-specific etiologies.

Fecal Impaction

The presence of a large, hardened, immovable mass of feces lodged within the rectum or colon.

Ascites

An abnormal accumulation of serous fluid within the peritoneal cavity.

Cirrhosis

A chronic degenerative liver disease characterized by fibrous tissue scarring and fatty infiltration across hepatic lobes, commonly caused by chronic alcohol abuse or agricultural pesticide exposure.

Hydronephrosis

Dilation and distension of the renal pelvis and calyces caused by the backpressure of urine unable to bypass an obstruction in the ureter.

Wilm's Tumor

A malignant pediatric renal neoplasm occurring primarily in children aged $5\,years$ and under.

Hematuria

The abnormal presence of blood or erythrocytes in the urine.

Diverticula

Abnormal pouchlike herniations extending through the muscular layer of a tubular gastrointestinal organ, such as the colon, small intestine, or stomach.

Anastomosis

A natural surgical or vascular connection formed between two tubular structures, such as connecting two bowel segments to restore continuity.

Crohn's Disease

A chronic, idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease that primarily targets the terminal ileum and colon, but can involve any segment of the gastrointestinal tract.

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