01 Abdominal Walls, Inguinal Canal, & Peritoneum

Demonstrate the bony and cartilaginous landmarks visible or palpable on abdominal examination and explain their clinical significance
Demonstrate the surface projections of the abdominal organs onto the four quadrants and nine descriptive regions of the abdomen
Describe the anatomy, innervation and functions of the muscles of the anterior, lateral and posterior abdominal walls. Discuss their functional relationship with the thoracic and pelvic diaphragms and their roles in posture, ventilation and voiding of abdominal/pelvic/thoracic contents
Describe the anatomy of the inguinal ligament and inguinal canal in the male and female. Explain the contents of the canal and how inguinal hernias develop, including the anatomy and clinical presentation of such hernias
Describe the organisation and clinical significance of the parietal and visceral peritoneum, the greater and lesser sacs, mesenteries and peritoneal ‘ligaments’
Describe the functional anatomy of the small and large bowel mesenteries; their structure, location and their vascular, lymphatic and neural contents
Describe the origins, courses and major branches of the abdominal aorta, coeliac trunk, superior and inferior mesenteric, renal and gonadal arteries. Describe the origin and course of the inferior vena cava and its major tributaries
Describe the anatomy of the lymph nodes draining the abdominal viscera