Abdomen

Front 1

What closes the inferior thoracic aperture?

Back 1

The diaphragm

Front 2

List the abdominal viscera

Back 2

GI: caudal end of esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, liver, pancreas, and gallbladder
Spleen, kidneys &ureters, suprarenal gland, major neurovascular structures

Front 3

Describe the role of the abdominal wall in breathing

Back 3

The abdominal relaxes to allow expansion of the thoracic cavity and inferior displacement of abdominal viscera during contraction of the diaphragm and contracts to aid expiration, especially forced expiration

Front 4

Describe how intra-abdominal pressure can be increased and the expulsive functions they aid in.

Back 4

Contraction of abdominal wall muscles can dramatically increase intra-abdominal pressure when the diaphragm is in a fixed position. Air is retained in the lungs by closing valves in the larynx of the neck. This pressure assists in (a) micturition, (b) parturition - childbirth, (c) defecation, (d) emesis - vomiting, and (e) coughing/sneezing.

Front 5

Name the bony components of the abdominal wall

Back 5

-The five lumbar vertebrae and intervertebral discs
-Superior expanded parts of the pelvic bones
-Bony components of the inferior thoracic wall including the costal margin, rib XII, the end of rib XI and the xiphoid process

Front 6

Name the three muscles lateral to the vertebral column that are part of the posterior abdominal wall.

Back 6

(a) Quadratus lumborum
(b) Iliacus & (c) Psoas major: distal ends pass into thigh and act as hip flexors

Front 7

Name the anterior and lateral muscular components of the abdominal wall and describe the orientation of the layers.

Back 7

Lateral: transversus abdominis is oriented horizontally
internal oblique is angled upwards
external oblique is angled downwards (like pockets)

Anterior: rectus abdominis spans distance between inferior thoracic wall and pelvis

Front 8

What are aponeuroses?

Back 8

Flat tendinous sheets derived from muscles of the lateral wall that contribute to structural continuity in the abdomen.

Front 9

Describe the extend of the ventral and dorsal mesenteries.

Back 9

The ventral mesentery exists for proximal regions of the gut tube, while the dorsal mesentery exists along the entire length of the system.

Front 10

What are the two types of peritoneum (think pleura) and what structure does the peritoneum become a component of?

Back 10

PARIETAL PERITONEUM lines the abdominal wall
VISCERAL PERITONEUM covers suspended organs
Peritoneum reflects off the abdominal wall to become a component of the mesenteries that suspend the viscera.

Front 11

Define intraperitoneal

Back 11

Structures, such as elements of the GI system, that are suspended from the abdominal wall by mesenteries.

Front 12

Define retroperitoneal

Back 12

Structures that are not suspended in the abdominal cavity by mesentery and that lie between the parietal peritoneum and abdominal wall.

Front 13

Where are neurovascular structures unpaired and why?

Back 13

Large vessels, nerves, and lymphatics are associated with the posterior abdominal wall along the median axis of the body in the region where, during development, the peritoneum reflects off the wall as the dorsal mesentery, which supports the developing gut tube. As a consequence, branches of the neurovascular structures that pass to parts of the GI system are unpaired, originate from the anterior aspects of their parent structures, and travel in mesenteries or pass retroperitoneally in areas where the mesenteries secondarily fuse to the wall.

Front 14

What is the name of the muscular extensions anchoring the diaphragm to the anterolateral surface and what is the lowest point of attachment on the right and left side.

Back 14

Each attachment is called a CRUS; extend to vertebra LIII on the right and LII on the left.

Front 15

Describe the median arcuate ligament

Back 15

Crosses the aorta and is continuous with the crus on each side

Front 16

Describe the medial and lateral arcuate ligaments

Back 16

Cross muscles of the posterior abdominal wall and attach to vertebrae, the transverse processes of vertebra LI and rib XII, respectively.

Front 17

Name the bony elements that form the pelvic inlet.

Back 17

-sacrum posteriorly
-pubic symphysis anteriorly
-distinct bony rim on the pelvic bone laterally on each side

Front 18

In what cavity is the bladder found?

Back 18

The bladder expands from the pelvic cavity into the abdominal cavity; the uterus does likewise during pregnancy.

Front 19

Name the structures that pass through the aperture formed by the inferior margin of the abdominal wall and the pelvic bone?

Back 19

The majory artery and vein of the lower limb, femoral nerve, lymphatics, the distal ends of psoas major and iliacus muscles

Front 20

The primitive foregut gives rise to what part of the GI tract? What is unique about the mesentery of the foregut?

Back 20

Distal end of the esophagus, the stomach, and the proximal part of the duodenum. The foregut is the only region suspended by both ventral and dorsal mesentery.