Abdominal Wall and Inguinal Canal - Flashcards

A set of practice flashcards covering abdominal wall anatomy, inguinal canal, vascular connections, and embryology based on the lecture notes.

What are the four abdominal quadrants?

RUQ, LUQ, RLQ, LLQ.

Which planes divide the four abdominal quadrants?

The median (midsagittal) plane and the transumbilical plane.

How does the external oblique aponeurosis contribute to the rectus sheath?

It contributes to the anterior layer.

How does the internal oblique aponeurosis contribute to the rectus sheath?

It contributes to both anterior and posterior layers.

How does the transversus abdominis aponeurosis contribute to the rectus sheath?

It contributes to the posterior layer (with contributions from transversalis fascia).

What forms the linea alba?

Interwoven aponeuroses of the abdominal muscles running along the midline from the xiphoid to the pubic symphysis.

What is the external spermatic fascia and what is its origin?

The external oblique aponeurosis contributes the external spermatic fascia.

What is the cremasteric fascia and what is its origin?

Cremasteric fascia, from internal oblique.

What is the internal spermatic fascia and what is its origin?

Internal spermatic fascia, from transversalis fascia.

What is the deep inguinal ring and what is its significance?

It is the proximal opening into the abdominal cavity.

What is the superficial inguinal ring and what is its significance?

It is the distal opening in the superficial fascia.

Which nerve is associated with the inguinal canal and cremaster reflex?

Ilio-inguinal nerve.

What is the median umbilical ligament a remnant of?

Urachus (fetal connection between bladder and umbilicus).

What are the medial umbilical ligaments a remnant of?

Occluded umbilical arteries.

What is the gubernaculum's primary function in guiding testicular descent?

It guides testicular descent.

What does the gubernaculum become in adult males related to the testis?

The proper (testicular) ligament.

How does the tunica vaginalis relate to the gubernaculum in males?

It is formed via remnants of the gubernaculum.

What does the gubernaculum become in females related to the ovary?

The ovarian ligament.

What does the gubernaculum become in females related to the uterus?

The round ligament of the uterus.

What is the tunica vaginalis?

A serous membrane surrounding the testis formed from the processus vaginalis.

What is the processus vaginalis?

A peritoneal extension that descends with the testis.

What are the potential fates or clinical implications of processus vaginalis remnants?

They can form the tunica vaginalis or lead to hernias.

What general principles guide abdominal incisions regarding muscle fibers and neurovascular structures?

Incisions should follow tension lines and the direction of muscle fibers while sparing neurovascular structures.

What is a key consideration for abdominal incisions involving the linea alba?

The linea alba is relatively avascular and may tolerate perpendicular incisions poorly.

Which vessels form an important anastomosis in the rectus abdominis?

Superior and inferior epigastric arteries.

A femoral hernia protrudes through which anatomical space?

Femoral ring

Which fetal structure becomes the ligamentum teres hepatis in the adult anterior abdominal wall?

Umbilical vein

A rare type of hernia occurs between the median and medial umbilical folds, near the bladder. Which type of hernia is this?

Supravesicle hernia

A supravesical hernia protrudes in the

Supravesical fossa located between the median umbilical fold (urachus remnant) and the medial umbilical fold (occluded umbilical artery

A 48-year-old man with a history of chronic cough presents with a bulge in the groin. On exam, you insert your finger into the superficial inguinal ring. When the patient coughs, you feel the impulse on the medial side of your finger.

Which of the following best explains the location of this hernia?
A) Through the femoral ring, inferior to the inguinal ligament
B) Through the deep inguinal ring, lateral to the inferior epigastric vessels
C) Through the superficial ring, lateral to the inferior epigastric vessels
D) Through Hesselbach’s triangle, medial to the inferior epigastric vessels
E) Through the linea alba, superior to the umbilicus

D
A hernia that produces an impulse on the medial side of the examiner’s finger in the superficial inguinal ring indicates a direct inguinal hernia.

The _____ is the embryologic structure associated with the _____ After birth, it becomes the ligamentum teres hepatis

Umbilical vein, umbilicus