Abdominal Anatomy: Muscles, Vessels, Nerves & Regions
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Abdominal Wall Anatomy: Key Structures
Bony Landmarks
- Sternum
- 4th Rib
- Vertebrae
- Ilium
- Ischium
Muscles of the Abdominal Wall
Anterior and Lateral Muscles
- Pectoralis major
- Serratus anterior
- External oblique abdominis
- Internal oblique abdominis
- Latissimus dorsi
- Rectus abdominis
- Pyramidalis
- Cremaster (in males)
- Transversus abdominis
- Diaphragm (superior aspect)
- Teres major
- Rhomboids
- Trapezius
Posterior Muscles
- Quadratus lumborum
- Psoas major
- Psoas minor
- Piriformis
- Ischiococcygeus
- Obturator internus
- Levator ani
Vasculature of the Abdomen
Arteries
Anterior Wall & Related Arteries
- Axillary artery
- Subclavian artery
- Subscapular artery
- Internal thoracic artery (lateral to the sternum)
- Lateral thoracic artery (under the arm)
- Thoracodorsal artery
- Anterior intercostal arteries
- Musculophrenic artery
- Pericardiacophrenic arteries (supply the pericardium and diaphragm)
- Superior epigastric artery (mid-abdomen)
- Inferior epigastric artery (mid-abdomen)
- Superficial circumflex iliac artery (iliac crests)
- Superficial external pudendal artery (groin)
- Deep external pudendal artery (groin)
Posterior Wall Arteries (Aortic Branches)
Branches from Upper Abdominal Aorta:
- Inferior phrenic arteries
- Adrenal arteries
- Renal arteries
- Superior mesenteric artery
- Subcostal arteries
- Lumbar arteries
Branches from Lower Abdominal Aorta & Iliac Arteries:
- Inferior mesenteric artery
- Colic arteries
- Sigmoid arteries
- Superior rectal artery
- Internal iliac artery
- External iliac artery
- Gluteal arteries
- Iliolumbar artery
- Inferior epigastric artery (originates from external iliac)
Veins
Anterior Wall & Related Veins
- Subclavian vein
- Jugular vein (drains into subclavian)
- Axillary vein
- Cephalic vein (arm)
- Lateral thoracic vein
- Areolar venous plexus (superficial, around the nipple)
- Musculophrenic vein
- Superior epigastric vein
- Thoracoepigastric vein (connects superficial epigastric to lateral thoracic)
- Paraumbilical veins
- Superficial circumflex iliac vein
- External pudendal veins
Posterior Wall Veins (IVC Tributaries & Others)
- Inferior phrenic veins
- Inferior vena cava (IVC)
- Hepatic veins (drain into IVC)
- Adrenal veins
- Renal veins
- Subcostal veins
- Lumbar veins
- Common iliac veins (form IVC)
- Gluteal veins
- Internal pudendal vein
- Median sacral vein
- Rectal veins
- Vesical (bladder) veins
- Deep circumflex iliac vein
- Superficial circumflex iliac vein
- Obturator vein
- Inferior epigastric vein
- Pubic veins
- Femoral vein
- Great saphenous vein (superficial leg, drains into femoral)
- External pudendal veins (drain into femoral/great saphenous)
Nerves of the Abdomen
Anterior Abdominal Wall Nerves
- Supraclavicular nerves
- Medial brachial cutaneous nerve (under the arm)
- Intercostobrachial nerve (near medial brachial cutaneous)
- Long thoracic nerve (descends to Serratus anterior)
- Intercostal nerves
- Subcostal nerve (T12)
- Iliohypogastric nerve
- Lateral femoral cutaneous nerve
- Genitofemoral nerve (supplies genital region and upper thigh)
- Ilioinguinal nerve (passes near ilium, descends to groin)
Posterior Abdominal Wall Nerves
- Splanchnic nerves (autonomic, near diaphragm)
- Subcostal nerve (T12, crosses Quadratus lumborum)
- Iliohypogastric nerve (crosses Quadratus lumborum)
- Ilioinguinal nerve (crosses Quadratus lumborum/Iliacus)
- Genitofemoral nerve (pierces Psoas major, L1-L2 roots)
- Lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (L2-L3 roots)
- Obturator nerve (L2-L4 roots)
- Femoral nerve (L2-L4 roots)
- Pudendal nerve (S2-S4 roots)
Special Regions and Structures
Inguinal and Femoral Region
Key structures include:
- Internal and external abdominal oblique muscles
- Linea alba
- Great saphenous vein (V. saphenous magna)
- Inguinal ligament
- Pectineal ligament (Cooper's ligament)
- Lacunar ligament
Internal Posterior Wall Structures
Viewed from within the abdominal cavity:
- Inferior vena cava (IVC)
- Diaphragm
- Esophagus (passing through diaphragm)
- Aorta
- Thoracic duct
- Splanchnic nerves
- Quadratus lumborum muscle
- Psoas major muscle
- Psoas minor muscle
- Transversus abdominis muscle
- Internal oblique muscle
- External oblique muscle
- Sacrococcygeal ligaments
- Piriformis muscle
- Ischiococcygeus muscle
- Inguinal ligament
- Obturator internus muscle
- Levator ani muscle
Greater Omentum
A large peritoneal fold that drapes down from the stomach, covering the intestines.