Anterior Abdominal Wall and Inguinal Region

What are the borders of the abdomen?

Roof: diaphragm

Floor: pelvic floor muscles (continuous with pelvic cavity)

Anteriolateral border: musculo-aponeurotic walls

Where does the abdominal cavity extend to superiorly?

5th intercostal space: between ribs 4 and 5

What is the superficial fascia of subcutaneous tissue on the abdomen called?

Camper’s fascia

What is the deep fascia of subcutaneous tissue of the abdomen called?

Scarpa’s fascia; continuous with deep fascia

What is deep fascia?

Thin, strong layer of fascia over the muscles of the abdominal wall which is not easily separated off the surface; posterior to scarpa’s fascia

What is the fascia that lines the deep surface of transverse fascia?

Transversalis fascia

What fascia covers the organs?

Visceral peritoneum

What fascia covers the abdominal wall?

Parietal peritoneum

What are the borders of the anterior abdominal wall?

Superior: right & left costal margins

Inferior: inguinal ligament

Sides: vertical line through ASIS

Label A

5th intercostal space

Label B

Rectus sheath (anterior layer)

Label C

Rectus abdominis

Label D

External oblique

Label E

Linea semilunaris

Label F

Anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS)

Label G

External oblique aponeruosis

Label H

Serratus anterior

Label J

Linea alba

Label K

Inguinal canal/groove

Label L

Spermatic cord

What organs (discussed in class) are in the right upper quadrant (RUQ)?

Right lobe of liver

Gallbladder

Right kidney

Superior path os ascending colon

Right half of transverse colon

What organs (discussed in class) are in the left upper quadrant (LUQ)?

Left lobe of liver

Spleen

Stomach

Left kidney

Left half of transverse colon

Superior path of descending colon

What organs (discussed in class) are in the right lower quadrant (RLQ)?

Vermiform appendix

Inferior path of ascending colon

What organs (discussed in class) are in the left lower quadrant (LLQ)?

Sigmoid colon

Inferior part of descending colon

What are the muscles of the abdominal wall?

Flat: External oblique, internal oblique, transverse abdominis

Vertical: rectus abdominis, pyramidalis

What muscles make up the rectus sheath (anteriorly) and thoracolumbar fascia (posteriorly)?

External oblique, internal oblique, and transverse abdominis

What are the attachments of the external oblique?

External surface of lower ribs to linea alba, punic bone, and anterior ½ iliac crest

What is the action of the external oblique?

Compresses and supports abdominal viscera; flexes and rotates trunk

What innervates the external oblique?

Thoracoabdominal nerves T7-11 and subcostal nerve T12

What forms the inguinal ligament?

The inferior end of external oblique folding back on itself; runs from ASIS to pubic tubercle

What is the largest and most superficial of the 3 flat muscles?

External oblique

What are the attachments of the internal oblique?

Thoracolumbar fascia, anterior 2/3 iliac crest to inferior borders of lower ribs, linea alba, and pubic bone (posterior inguinal ring) via conjoint tendon to pubic bone

What is the action of the internal oblique?

Compresses and supports abdominal viscera; flexes and rotates the trunk (same as external oblique)

What innverates the internal oblique?

Ventral rami T6-12 and L1

What is the conjoint tendon?

A thick, fibrous band in the lower abdomen formed by the fusion of the internal oblique and transverse abdominis muscles that anchors to the pubic bone