Posterior Abdominal Wall (McCarthy 2025)

What muscles form the posterior abdominal wall?

Psoas major, psoas minor, iliacus, quadratus lumborum, and transversus abdominis.

Which bones and landmarks comprise the posterior abdominal wall boundary (as listed in the notes)?

Ilium; Vertebra LIII; Ribs XI and XII; iliac crest; anterior superior iliac spine; ischium; sacrum; pubic symphysis; abdominal wall.

Name the muscles labeled as part of the posterior abdominal wall (page 5).

Psoas minor; Psoas major; Transversus abdominis; Iliacus; Quadratus lumborum.

From the abdominal aorta, what are the visceral branches?

Celiac trunk, superior mesenteric artery (SMA), inferior mesenteric artery (IMA); middle suprarenal; renal; testicular/ovarian arteries.

From the abdominal aorta, what are the parietal branches?

Inferior phrenic, lumbar, and middle sacral arteries.

From the abdominal aorta, what are the terminal branches?

Common iliac arteries.

List the major tributaries of the inferior vena cava (as given).

Lumbar veins; right testicular/ovarian vein; renal veins; suprarenal veins; inferior phrenic veins; hepatic veins.

Where does the inferior vena cava run, by vertebral level, according to the notes?

From L5 (LV5) to T8 (TV8).

What are the main nerves of the lumbar plexus and their spinal roots?

Subcostal (T12); Iliohypogastric (L1); Ilioinguinal (L1); Genitofemoral (L1–L2); Lateral femoral cutaneous (L2–L3); Obturator (L2–L4); Femoral (L2–L4); Lumbosacral trunk (L4–L5).

Which nerve is associated with meralgia paresthetica?

Lateral femoral cutaneous nerve.

Which two nerves are tested in the cremaster reflex?

Ilioinguinal nerve (L1) and genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve (L1–L2).

Which nerve supplies sensation to the lateral thigh (cutaneous)?

Lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh (L2–L3).

Which nerves contribute to the cutaneous innervation of the abdominal wall (based on the dermatomes map in the notes)?

Subcostal (T12); Iliohypogastric (L1); Ilioinguinal (L1); Lateral cutaneous nerve of thigh (L2–L3); Genitofemoral (L1–L2); Femoral (L2–L4); Obturator (L2–L4); Lumbosacral trunks (L4–L5).

What condition is described by numbness or burning on the lateral thigh due to lumbar plexus involvement?

Meralgia paresthetica (lateral femoral cutaneous nerve entrapment).

Which nerve is implicated in meralgia paresthetica (repeated for emphasis)?

Lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (L2–L3).

What are the three anatomical constrictions of the ureter where stones commonly lodge?

1) Ureteropelvic junction (abdominal part); 2) Where the ureter crosses the pelvic brim/external iliac vessels (pelvic part, behind testicular/ovarian vessels in some texts); 3) Intramural portion as it traverses the bladder wall.

What syndrome results from left renal vein compression between the aorta and SMA?

Nutcracker syndrome — presents with flank pain, hematuria, and varicocele.

What are the three arterial sources to the kidneys and suprarenal glands?

Renal arteries supply kidneys; superior suprarenal arteries (from inferior phrenic); middle suprarenal artery (from aorta); inferior suprarenal arteries (often from renal arteries).

Describe the basic internal anatomy features of the kidney.

Cortex; medulla; pyramids and papillae; renal columns; major and minor calyces; renal pelvis; ureter; renal sinus.

What is the renal fascia and how is it organized?

Renal fascia has anterior and posterior layers that enclose the kidney and suprarenal glands, with a junction of layers forming boundaries around these structures.

What are the major openings of the diaphragm and the structures that pass through them?

Caval opening (T8) for the inferior vena cava and right phrenic nerve; Esophageal hiatus (T10) for the esophagus and vagal trunks; Aortic hiatus (T12) for the aorta and thoracic duct (and sometimes accompanying veins.

Which ligaments surround the diaphragm and what do they connect?

Median arcuate ligament (formed by the crura over the aorta); lateral arcuate ligaments (over the quadratus lumborum); medial arcuate ligaments (over the psoas major). The right crus and left crus attach to