Anatomy - Abdomen I
The posterior abdominal wall is supported by bony structures including the five lumbar vertebrae, which provide central support and muscle attachment; the pelvic bones, particularly the iliac crests, which anchor lower abdominal muscles; and the 12th ribs, which contribute to the upper boundary and protect underlying organs. These structures form a sturdy framework for muscle attachment and organ protection.
Bony boundaries of the p. abdominal wall
Key Terms
Bony boundaries of the p. abdominal wall
Structure of lumbar vertebrae
How many curvatures to the spinal column are there ?
4
Name the 4 curvatures to the spinal column from superior to inferior
How does the shape of the spine at birth differ to a fully developed spine ?
C shaped at birth
Developed - S shape
Name the muscles of the posterior abdominal wall
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| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
Bony boundaries of the p. abdominal wall | |
Structure of lumbar vertebrae | |
How many curvatures to the spinal column are there ? | 4 |
Name the 4 curvatures to the spinal column from superior to inferior | |
How does the shape of the spine at birth differ to a fully developed spine ? | C shaped at birth |
Name the muscles of the posterior abdominal wall | |
Which muscle of the posterior abdo wall fills the space between the 12th ribs and the iliac crest | |
Origin, insertion and innervation of quadratus lumborum | Origin: iliolumbar fascia and the iliac crest Insertion: transverse processes of L1-4 and inferior border or rib 12 Innervation: subcostal nerve T12 anterior rami of spinal nerves L1-L4 |
Which posterior abdominal wall muscle is only found in 40% of people ? | Psoas minor |
Psoas minor origin, insertion, innervation and action | |
Psoas major origin, insertion and innervation | |
Transversus abdominus origin, insertion, innervation and action | |
What is the lumbar plexus | Network of nerve fibres located in the lumbar region, within the substance of the psoas major muscle |
The lumbar plexus roots are T12 - L5, what are its 6 terminal branches | |
How many terminal branches are there of the lumbar plexus | 6 |
Position of kidneys | Left - positioned higher; superior pole rib 11-12 |
Anterior relations of the kidneys | |
Which kidney is positioned lower | Right |
Posterior relations of the kidneys | |
Anterior relations of the kidneys | |
Function of the coverings of the kidney | Support and hold in position against posterior abdominal wall |
Name the 4 coverings to the kidneys from innermost to outermost | |
Renal hilum | |
What structures can be found in the renal hilum | |
How are the main structures of the renal hilum organised ? | Anterior to posterior VAU |
Renal sinus | |
Gross anatomy of the kidney | |
What is the arterial blood supply to the kidneys | |
Which renal artery is longer | Right |
Do the renal arteries travel anterior or posterior to the renal veins | Posterior to veins |
Venous drainage of the kidneys | |
At what level is the right renal artery | L2 |
Innervation of the kidneys | Sympathetic supply: |
What are the suprarenal glands | |
How does the shape of the R and L suprarenal glands differ? | |
What are suprarenal glands also called ? | Adrenal glands |
What is the function of the adrenal glands | Secretion of hormones |
Arterial supply to the adrenal glands | |
Adrenal veins | Right and left adrenal veins drain the glands. |
Which adrenal vein drains direct into the IVC | Right |
Why does the left adrenal vein drain into the left renal vein | Proximity |
How many ureter constrictions are there ? | |
How long is the ureter ? | 25 - 30 cm |
Vasculature of the ureters | |
Describe the course the ureter takes in the abdomen | 1. Descends anterior to psoas major 2. crosses anterior to genitofemoral nerve 3. obliquely crossed by gonadal vessels 4. crosses bifurcation of common iliac artery to enter pelvis |
Surfaces of the bladder | |
There are 2 of which surface of the bladder | Inferolateral surfaces |
Which muscles cradle the inferolateral surfaces of the bladder | Levator ani and obturator muscle |
Detrusor muscle | |
What is the trigone of the bladder | |
What are the boundaries of the bladder trigone? | Bounded by where the ureters enter superiorly and the urethra exits inferiorly |
Which nervous supply allows bladder to fill and store and which to empty | Fill : sympathetic |
Innervation of the detrusor bladder muscle | Parasympathetic fibres from the pelvic splanchnic nerves S2-S4 - stimulates contraction |
Which nerves innervate the external urethral sphincter | Somatic - pudenal nerve S2-S4 |
How many urethral sphincters are there | 2 - internal and external |
Where is the internal urethral sphincter | Neck of the bladder |
What controls the internal urethral sphincter | ANS - SNS via hypogastric nerve |
What type of muscle forms the external urethral sphincter | Skeletal - innervated by the pudenal nerve |
Which ligament supports the female urethra | |
Name the 4 parts of the male urethra |