Anterolateral Abdominal Wall Vocabulary

Flashcards covering key vocabulary from the anterolateral abdominal wall lecture.

Abdominal Cavity

A region inferior to the diaphragm and superior to the pelvic inlet.

Median Plane

A midsagittal vertical line extending from the tip of the xiphoid process through the umbilicus and down to the superior tip of the symphysis pubis, dividing the abdomen into right and left sides.

Umbilical Plane

A horizontal line passing through the umbilicus, dividing the abdomen into upper and lower sections.

Upper Right Quadrant

Contains the liver, gallbladder, head of the pancreas, and right kidney.

Upper Left Quadrant

Hosts the majority of the stomach, the whole of the spleen, body of the pancreas, and left kidney.

Right Lower Quadrant

Contains the vermiform appendix, right ureter, and in females, the right ovary and fallopian tube.

Left Lower Quadrant

Contains the left ureter, ovary, and fallopian tube.

Camper's Fascia

Superficial fascia composed of adipose connective tissue, providing insulation and cushioning.

Scarpa's Fascia

Dense irregular connective tissue that anchors Camper's fascia to the underlying musculature.

External Oblique Muscles

Originates off ribs five through 12; contraction results in flexion and contralateral rotation of the trunk.

Internal Obliques

Contributes to trunk flexion; unilateral contraction will produce ipsilateral rotation of the trunk.

Transversus Abdominis

Compresses the abdominal contents and provides active tension and rigidity to the abdominal wall.

Transversalis Fascia

The deepest part of the anterolateral abdominal wall.

Rectus Abdominis

Extends inferiorly from the costal margin and xiphoid process to insert on the pubic crest and symphysis pubis; serves as the principal flexor of the trunk.

Pyramidalis

A vestigial triangular-shaped muscle that projects from the pubic crest to fuse bilaterally along the midline.

Anterior Rectus Sheath

A single fused tendon formed by the interdigitation of the external oblique and anterior running fibers of the internal oblique.

Posterior Rectus Sheath

Formed by the fusion of the aponeurosis from the transversus abdominis and the posterior division of the internal oblique running posterior to the rectus abdominis.

Linea Alba

The midline fusion of the anterior and posterior rectus sheaths, appearing as a distinct white line.

Arcuate Line

An arch seen between the opaque superior and translucent inferior regions of the abdominal wall due to the transition where all three aponeuroses run anterior to the rectus abdominis.

Tendinous Intersections

Places along the rectus abdominis muscle where fibers taper, allowing fusion of the anterior and posterior rectus sheaths, accounting for the 'six-pack' appearance.

Median Umbilical Fold

Lies along the midline of the anterolateral abdominal wall, extending from the apex of the bladder up to the umbilicus, created by the urachus.

Medial Umbilical Folds

Mark the location of the umbilical ligaments; embryological remnants of the umbilical arteries.

Lateral Umbilical Folds

Generated by the inferior epigastric vessels; an important clinical landmark for inguinal hernias.

Inguinal Triangle

Defined by the lateral border of the rectus abdominis muscle medially, the inguinal canal inferiorly, and the lateral umbilical fold laterally; location of direct inguinal hernias.

Linea Semilunaris

Marked the mild tendinous junction between the oblique musculature and the rectus sheaths.

Abdominal Cavity

A region inferior to the diaphragm and superior to the pelvic inlet.

Median Plane

A midsagittal vertical line extending from the tip of the xiphoid process through the umbilicus and down to the superior tip of the symphysis pubis, dividing the abdomen into right and left sides.

Umbilical Plane

A horizontal line passing through the umbilicus, dividing the abdomen into upper and lower sections.

Upper Right Quadrant

Contains the liver, gallbladder, head of the pancreas, and right kidney.

Upper Left Quadrant

Hosts the majority of the stomach, the whole of the spleen, body of the pancreas, and left kidney.

Right Lower Quadrant

Contains the vermiform appendix, right ureter, and in females, the right ovary and fallopian tube.

Left Lower Quadrant

Contains the left ureter, ovary, and fallopian tube.

Camper's Fascia

Superficial fascia composed of adipose connective tissue, providing insulation and cushioning.

Scarpa's Fascia

Dense irregular connective tissue that anchors Camper's fascia to the underlying musculature.

External Oblique Muscles

Originates off ribs five through 12; contraction results in flexion and contralateral rotation of the trunk.

Internal Obliques

Contributes to trunk flexion; unilateral contraction will produce ipsilateral rotation of the trunk.

Transversus Abdominis

Compresses the abdominal contents and provides active tension and rigidity to the abdominal wall.

Transversalis Fascia

The deepest part of the anterolateral abdominal wall.

Rectus Abdominis

Extends inferiorly from the costal margin and xiphoid process to insert on the pubic crest and symphysis pubis; serves as the principal flexor of the trunk.

Pyramidalis

A vestigial triangular-shaped muscle that projects from the pubic crest to fuse bilaterally along the midline.

Anterior Rectus Sheath

A single fused tendon formed by the interdigitation of the external oblique and anterior running fibers of the internal oblique.

Posterior Rectus Sheath

Formed by the fusion of the aponeurosis from the transversus abdominis and the posterior division of the internal oblique running posterior to the rectus abdominis.

Linea Alba

The midline fusion of the anterior and posterior rectus sheaths, appearing as a distinct white line.

Arcuate Line

An arch seen between the opaque superior and translucent inferior regions of the abdominal wall due to the transition where all three aponeuroses run anterior to the rectus abdominis.

Tendinous Intersections

Places along the rectus abdominis muscle where fibers taper, allowing fusion of the anterior and posterior rectus sheaths, accounting for the 'six-pack' appearance.

Median Umbilical Fold

Lies along the midline of the anterolateral abdominal wall, extending from the apex of the bladder up to the umbilicus, created by the urachus.

Medial Umbilical Folds

Mark the location of the umbilical ligaments; embryological remnants of the umbilical arteries.

Lateral Umbilical Folds

Generated by the inferior epigastric vessels; an important clinical landmark for inguinal hernias.

Inguinal Triangle

Defined by the lateral border of the rectus abdominis muscle medially, the inguinal canal inferiorly, and the lateral umbilical fold laterally; location of direct inguinal hernias.

Linea Semilunaris

Marked the mild tendinous junction between the oblique musculature and the rectus sheaths.

External Oblique Muscles Origin, Insertion, Action

• Origin: Ribs 5-12
• Insertion: Iliac crest, linea alba
• Action: Flexion and contralateral rotation of trunk

Internal Obliques Origin, Insertion, Action

• Origin: Iliac crest, thoracolumbar fascia
• Insertion: Ribs 10-12, linea alba
• Action: Trunk flexion, ipsilateral rotation

Transversus Abdominis Origin, Insertion, Action:

• Origin: Inguinal ligament, iliac crest, thoracolumbar fascia, and costal cartilages of ribs 7-12
• Insertion: Linea alba and pubic crest
• Action: Compresses abdominal contents, providing active tension and rigidity to the abdominal wall

Pyramidalis Origin, Insertion, Action

• Origin: Pubic crest and pubic symphysis
• Insertion: Linea alba
• Action: Tenses the linea alba

Rectus Abdominis Origin, Insertion, Action

• Origin: Costal cartilages of ribs 5-7, xiphoid process
• Insertion: Pubic crest and pubic symphysis
• Action: Flexes the trunk, compresses the abdomen, and depresses the ribs