CH.23: General Surgery (The Abdomen)

right flank

(D)

pyramidalis muscle

-small muscle found on inferior surface of rectus abdominis muscle within rectus sheath -when present: origin: pubic crest insertion: linea alba

peritoneal reflections

2 layers of peritoneum connecting 2 abdominal viscera together

fascia

A band or sheet of fibrous connective tissue that covers, supports, and separates muscle.

strangulated hernia

A hernia in which abdominal tissue has become trapped between the layers of an abdominal wall defect. The strangulated tissue usually becomes swollen as a result of venous congestion. Lack of blood supply can lead to tissue necrosis.

indirect inguinal hernia

A hernia that protrudes into the membranous sac of the spermatic cord. This condition usually is due to a congenital defect in the abdominal wall.

direct inguinal hernia

A hernia that results from weakness in the inguinal floor.

McBurney incision

A incision in which the oblique right muscle is manually split to allow for removal of the appendix. (H)

hernia

A protrusion of tissue under the skin through a weakened area of the body wall.

linea alba

A strip of avascular tissue that follows the midline and extends from the pubis to the xiphoid process.

pfannenstiel incision

A transverse incision below the umbilicus and just above the pubis; it generally is used for pelvic surgery.

ventral hernia

A weakness in the abdominal wall, usually resulting in protrusion of abdominal viscera against the peritoneum and abdominal fascia.

transversalis fascia

Abdominal layer continuous with internal spermatic fascia

fistula

An abnormal tract or passage leading from one organ to another or from an organ to the skin; usually caused by infection.

pubic tubercle

An attachment point for the inguinal ligament.

mesentery

An extension of the peritoneum that attaches to the posterior abdominal wall and fans out to cover the small intestine.

greater omentum

An extension of the serous membrane, covering the stomach, duodenum, and part of the colon.

midaxillary line

An imaginary vertical line that starts at the middle of the axilla (armpit) and extends down the side of the chest.

mediastinum

Area between the lungs containing the heart, aorta, venae cavae, esophagus, and trachea.

rectus sheath

B

peritoneum

Double-layered membrane surrounding the abdominal organs.

incarcerated hernia

Herniated tissue that is trapped in an abdominal wall defect. Incarcerated tissue requires emergency surgery to prevent ischemia and tissue necrosis.

hypogastric/supropubic/pelvic region

Just above the pubis.

diaphragm

Large, flat muscle at the bottom of the chest cavity that helps with breathing.

subcutaneous fatty tissue

Layers of fat and soft tissues found below the dermis, 3rd layer of skin.

left hypochondrium

Left upper quadrant of the abdomen that contains the left lobe of the liver, spleen, and stomach. (C)

evisceration

Protrusion of the viscera outside the body as a result of trauma or wound disruption.

right hypochondrium

Right upper quadrant of the abdomen that contains the liver and gallbladder. (A)

extraperitoneal (subserosa) fascia

Second layer closest to peritoneal cavity

suprapubic region

The abdominal area just above the pubic arch

Hesselbach triangle

The area bounded by the rectus abdominis muscle, the inguinal ligament, and the inferior epigastric vessels.

viscera

The organs or tissue of the abdominal cavity.

abdominal/parietal peritoneum

The serous membrane lining the walls of the abdominal cavity. The retroperitoneum is the posterior aspect. In surgical discussions, 'abdominal' usually refers to the anterior aspect.

inguinal incision

This type of incision is used to access the scrotal contents of an adult or child. Can be used to treat cryptorchidism and for a radical orchiectomy.

reduce

To manipulate herniated tissue back into its normal anatomical position.

ventral

Toward the belly.

linea semilunaris

Two layers from rectus sheath join to form a vertical line of aponeurosis

upper midline incision

Type of incision of gastosomy

epigastric region

Upper abdomen.

symphysis pubis

a cartilaginous joint that is the point of fusion for two pubic bones

right iliac region

cecum, appendix

left iliac region

initial part of sigmoid colon

inguinal ligament

ligament extending from pubic bone to anterior superior iliac spine, forming lower border of abdomen

tendinous inscriptions

lines that separate your rectus abdominis into 6 packs

costal margin

lower border of rib margin formed by the medial edges of the 8th, 9th, and 10th ribs

xiphoid process

lower, narrow portion of the sternum

costal

pertaining to the ribs

umbilical region

region of the navel

iliac crest

upper margin of iliac bones