Abdomen Anatomy & pathology

Abdominal cavity extends from

diaphragm to superior aspect of bony pelvis

What does the abdominal cavity consist of?

stomach, small & large intestine, liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, and kidneys

what is the largest hollow space of the body?

abdominal cavity

the pelvic cavity lies

within margins of bony pelvis

what does the pelvic cavity contain?

rectum & sigmoid regions of colon, urinary bladder, and reproductive organs

3 main interest of the pelvic cavity for positoning

iliac crest, anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS), and pubic symph

what part is labeled 1?

iliac crest 

what part is labeled 2?

ASIS

what part is labeled 3?

pubic symphysis

what is at the level of the pubic symph?

the greater trochanter 

abdominal peritoneum 

encloses abdominopelvic cavity & is a double walled membrane 

parietal peritoneum

outer portion (lines cavity) & is in contact w/ abdominal wall

visceral peritoneum

inner portion (surrounds organs)

peritoneal cavity 

in between; contains fluid 

mesentery & omenta

folds which support the organs in position 

mesentery

assist in attachment of the organs to the posterior abdominal wall

omenta

protective “drape” (part of mesentery) hangs from the stomach & attaches to the colon

retroperitoneum 

cavity behind the peritoneum which includes the kidneys, pancreas, ureters

what are the quadrants of the abdomen?

RUQ, LUQ, RLQ, LLQ

does the right or left kidney lie lower?

right kidney

does the right or left flexure of the colon lie lower?

right flexure

the liver does what to the right side?

pushes down on the organs

the liver does what to the left side?

pushes up on the diaphragm 

flank

side of a person’s body between the ribs & the hip

during expiration the diaphragm looks like

a parachute

do we exhale or inhale on abdomen images?

exhale 

volvulus 

twisting of bowel on itself 

radiologic appearance of volvulus

dilated bowel

technical factor of volvulus

typically, subtractive - may have to decrease technique due to abundance of air…. if known opaque obstruction, then increase technical factors

pneumoperitoneum 

free air in the peritoneal cavity of abdomen 

radiologic appearance of pneumoperitoneum

air accumulating at the highest point

technical factors of pneumoperitoneum

subtractive (decrease technique due to additional air)

pneumoperitoneum can be seen on what x-ray?

chest

ascites

accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity

radiographic appearance of ascites 

wash out, overall gray 

technical factors of ascites

additive (may have to increase technique)

bowel obstruction

partial or full blockage of large or small bowel that does not allow substances to pass through

radiographic appearance of bowel obstruction

dilation of bowel 

technical factors of bowel obstruction

depending on blockage, may need to increase/decrease

pica

psychological disorder of intentional and craving consumption of non-nutritive substances over a period of time

radiographic appearance of pica

appearance of foreign objects/ substances

technical factors of pica

depending on blockage, may need to increase

What pathology is this?

Volvulus

What pathology is this?

Pneumoperitoneum

What pathology is this?

Ascites

What pathology is this?

Bowel obstruction

What pathology is this?

Pica

What is 1?

Iliac crest

What is 2?

ASIS

What is 3?

Greater trochanter

What is 4?

Coccyx

What is 5?

Pubic symph

What is 6?

Ischial tuberosity

What is 1?

RUQ