The Abdomen

Surface Anatomy, Muscles and

Peritoneum

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 Abdominopelvic Cavity

Largest part of ventral body

cavity
Abdominal
Stomach, liver, kidneys, etc
Pelvic
Bladder, some reproductive
organs, rectum
Two cavities are continuous

pg 12 www.smso.net
 Surface Anatomy of Abdomen
pg 742
Umbilicus = navel
Linea alba = white line
Xiphoid process to
pubic symphysis
Tendinous line
Inferior Boundaries
Iliac crest
Ant. Sup. Iliac spine
Inguinal ligament
Pubic crest
Superior Boundary
Diaphragm www.smso.net Pg 187
Four Abdominal Quadrants

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Pg 16
 Muscles of Abdominal Wall
No bony reinforcement
3 sheet-like layers
Continuous with layers of
intercostal muscles
Fibers of layers run in
different directions for
strength
Ends in aponeurosis
which contains rectus
abdominis muscle
Function: hold in organs,
move trunk, forced
breathing, inc. intra-
abdominal pressure
pg 278 www.smso.net
Muscles of Anterior Abdominal Wall
External Obliques
O: lower 8 ribsI: aponeurosis to linea alba
Function: Flex trunk, compress abd. wall (together)
Rotate trunk (separate sides)
Internal Obliques
O: Lumbar fascia, iliac crest, inguinal ligament
I: Linea alba, pubic crest, last 3-4 ribs, costal margin
Function: Same as External obliques
Transversus Abdominis
O:same as Internals, plus last 6 ribs
I: Xiphoid process, costal cart. 5-7
Function: Compress abdomen
Rectus Abdominis
O: Pubic crest, pubic symphysis I: Xiphoid, cost cart 5-7
Function: Flex, rotate trunk, compress abdomen, fix ribs
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 Muscles of the
Anterior
Abdomen Wall

All muscles of anterior abdomen www.smso.net

innervated by INTERCOSTAL nerves
Muscles of the Posterior Abdominal Wall
Iliopsoas
Psoas major
O: Lumbar vertebrae + T12
I: Lesser trochanter of femur via iliopsoas tendon
Function: Thigh flexion, trunk flexion, lateral flexion
Iliacus
O: Iliac fossa, ala of sacrum
I: Lesser trochanter of femur via iliopsoas tendon
Function: Thigh flexion, trunk flexion
Quadratus lumborum
O: iliac crest, lumbar fascia
I: trans. proc of upper lumbar vertebrae
Function: Flex vertebral column

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 Quadratus
lumborum

Iliiopsoas
Iliacus Muscles of
Psoas major Posterior
Abdominal Wall

Pg 299
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 Peritoneum
Extension of serous membrane in the
abdomino-pelvic cavity
Mesentery: Double layer of peritoneum
Hold organs in place
Store fat
Route for vessels + nerves
Retroperitoneal: some organs behind
peritoneum (eg) duodenum, ascending +
descending colon, rectum, pancreas
Peritoneal: remain surrounded by peritoneal
cavity (eg) liver, stomach,
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ileum + jejunum
Peritoneal vs Retroperitoneal

Pg 13, 614
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