(17) Abdomen V: Posterior Abdominal Wall & Urinary System Practice Flashcards

A collection of vocabulary flashcards covering the posterior abdominal wall and the urinary system based on the lecture notes.

Central tendon

The central fibrous region of the thoracic diaphragm where peripheral skeletal muscle attaches.

Posterior Abdominal Wall

The boundary between the abdominal cavity and the posterior structures of the trunk. It is fundamentally composed of the lumbar vertebral column, specific posterior wall musculature, the respiratory diaphragm, and the neural network known as the lumbar plexus.

Thoraic (Respiratory) Diapphragm

The muscle that separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity, playing a crucial role in respiration by contracting and relaxing to facilitate breathing.

Crura

Two muscular arches of the diaphragm extending along the lateral sides of the lumbar vertebrae.

Major Diaphragmatic Apertures (Hiatuses)

The openings in the diaphragm that allow structures such as blood vessels and nerves to pass between the thoracic and abdominal cavities, including the aortic, esophageal, and vena caval hiati.

Aortic hiatus

The opening in the diaphragm at the level of $T12$ through which pass the aorta, thoracic duct, and azygos vein.

Esophageal hiatus

The opening in the diaphragm at the level of $T10$ through which pass the esophagus and vagus nerves.

IVC hiatus

The opening in the central tendon at the level of $T8$ through which pass the inferior vena cava and phrenic nerve.

Phrenic nerve

The nerve derived from spinal nerves $C3-C5$ that provides innervation to the thoracic diaphragm.

Psoas major (Origin)

A muscle that arises from the transverse processes and vertebral bodies of $T12$ to $L5$.

Psoas major (Insertion)

Along with the iliacus, this muscle inserts onto the lesser trochanter of the femur.

Iliacus

A muscle that arises from the iliac fossa and attaches to the lesser trochanter of the femur.

Iliopsoas muscle

The combined muscle formed by the psoas major and iliacus which serves as the chief flexor of the thigh.

Quadratus lumborum (Origin)

A muscle that arises from the iliac crest.

Quadratus lumborum (Insertion)

Attaches to the $12\text{th}$ rib and the transverse processes of the upper four lumbar vertebrae.

Lumbar plexus

A network of nerves formed within the psoas major muscle by the ventral rami of spinal nerves $L1$ to $L4$.

Iliohypogastric nerve

Initial member of the lumbar plexus ($L1$) providing motor supply to the internal obliques and transversus abdominis.

Ilioinguinal nerve

A nerve ($L1$) with a terminal branch passing through the superficial inguinal ring; provides sensation to the scrotum/labia.

Genitofemoral nerve

Formed within the psoas major muscle ($L1-2$); includes a genital branch to the cremaster muscle and a sensory femoral branch.

Lateral femoral cutaneous nerve

A nerve ($L2-3$) running along the lateral iliacus that provides sensation to the lateral thigh.

Femoral nerve

The major nerve to the muscles of the anterior thigh, derived from $L2-4$.

Obturator nerve

The major nerve to the adductor muscles in the medial thigh, derived from $L2-4$.

Retroperitoneal

The anatomical term describing the kidneys and ureters as being located posterior to the peritoneum.

Perirenal fat

The mass of fat in which each kidney is embedded at the $L1$ to $L4$ vertebral level.

Hilum of the kidney

The concave medial surface where the renal artery, renal vein, and ureter enter or exit the kidney.

Renal pelvis

The dilated superior portion of the ureter as it approaches the hilum of the kidney.

Major calyces

The primary divisions resulting from the branching of the renal pelvis.

Minor calyces

Conducting system structures ($7-14$ per kidney) that receive urine from the largest collecting ducts.

Renal sinus

The space within the kidney that houses the renal pelvis, calyces, and renal vessels.

Renal cortex

The outer layer of the kidney, approximately $1-2\text{ cm}$ thick, which parallels the convex surface.

Renal medulla

The region between the cortex and hilum divided into lobes consisting of pyramids and columns.

Renal pyramids

Medullary structures whose apexes form the renal papilla.

Renal columns

Medullary regions similar to the cortex that reside between the renal pyramids.

Renal papilla

The apex of the renal pyramid that protrudes into a minor calyx and is the site where urine is secreted.

Renal artery and vein

Vessels located anterior to the renal pelvis at the hilum of the kidney.

Kidney stones

Crystalline compounds that may form within the renal calyx.

Renal transplantation site

The lower abdomen is the established location for this surgical treatment of chronic renal failure.

Ureter (Course)

A retroperitoneal tube descending anterior to the psoas major and crossing the external iliac vessels to reach the bladder.

Ureteric functional valve

Formed by the oblique passage of the ureter through the bladder wall to prevent urine reflux.

Gonadal artery

A vessel providing blood supply to the ureter during its descent through the abdomen.

Superior vesical artery

The vessel providing blood supply to the ureter near its junction with the bladder.

Ureter innervation

Provided by autonomic nerves originating from the renal plexus.

Renal stones (Signs/Symptoms)

Characterized by flank pain radiating to the groin and often results in blood in the urine.

Hydronephrosis

A clinical condition potentially resulting from ureteric obstruction.

UPJ

The junction of the ureter and pelvis; one of the three primary sites of ureteric obstruction.

Pelvic inlet (Ureter)

The second of three common sites where a ureteric stone may cause obstruction.

Intramural portion

The section of the ureter within the wall of the bladder, where obstruction often occurs.

Suprarenal gland location

Situated at the superior pole of the kidney within the renal fascia.

Suprarenal capsule

The protective surrounding layer of each adrenal gland.

Suprarenal cortex

The outer gland layer that secretes mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoids, and sex hormones.

Cortisol

A glucocorticoid secreted by the suprarenal cortex.

Aldosterone

A mineralocorticoid secreted by the suprarenal cortex.

Progesterone

A sex hormone secreted by the suprarenal cortex.

Estradiol

A sex hormone (estrogen) secreted by the suprarenal cortex.

Androgens

Sex hormones secreted by the suprarenal cortex.

Suprarenal medulla

The inner portion of the adrenal gland that secretes epinephrine and norepinephrine.

Suprarenal arteries

Vessels arising directly from the aorta to provide blood to the adrenal glands.

Splanchnic nerves

The source of preganglionic sympathetic fibers that innervate the suprarenal medulla.

Diaphragm Anterior Attachment

The peripheral skeletal muscle attached to the sternum and the costal arches.

Psoas major (Innervation)

Supplied by the lumbar plexus via ventral rami of $L1$, $L2$, and usually $L3$ spinal nerves.

Quadratus lumborum (Innervation)

Supplied by the $T12-L4$ spinal nerves.

Quadratus lumborum (Functions)

Extends and laterally flexes the vertebral column and fixes the $12\text{th}$ rib during inspiration.

Iliacus (Innervation)

Supplied by the femoral nerve.

Iliohypogastric nerve (Sensory)

Provides sensation to the pubic region.

Ilioinguinal nerve (Motor)

Provides motor innervation to the abdominal wall.

Genitofemoral nerve (Sensory)

The femoral branch supplies sensation to the medial thigh.

Obturator foramen

The opening in the pelvis through which the obturator nerve leaves the pelvis.

Renal vessels (components)

The renal artery and renal vein, both located within the renal sinus.