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
