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0:00
Hello, my name is
Beverley Kramer.
I'm coming to you
from South Africa.
In the first part of the three
lectures on the abdomen,
I will provide you with
a general overview.
0:15
This lecture will
focus mainly on
the boundaries and walls
of the abdomen that
will also include
some development
to provide an understanding of
the positions of the organs and
the mesenteries of the
abdominal viscera.
0:31
The abdominal cavity
outlined here in blue,
is the largest space
within the human body.
It is housed within the abdomen.
Like many of these structures in
the human body that is a tubular
or cylindrical structure,
the abdominal cavity
superior boundary
is the inferior thoracic outlet,
which is closed by the
thoracic diaphragm.
The inferior boundary of the
cavity is the pelvic inlet.
Posteriorly, the cavity is
bounded by the
vertebral column and
anterolaterally by the
abdominal musculature
of the anterior abdominal wall.
1:12
As mentioned, the abdominal wall
is mainly composed of muscle,
but has many elements, as well.
The skeletal boundaries of the
abdominal cavity are thus,
superiorly fascia components
of the inferior thoracic outlet,
such as the xiphoid process,
the costal cartilages 7-10,
the 12th rib on the
thoracic vertebrae, T12.
Posteriorly, the five lumbar
vertebrae and intervening discs.
The superior part of
the pelvic bones of
the region referred
to as the false pelvis form
the inferior boundary.
As the abdomen extends from
the diaphragm to the
pelvic, during expiration
the abdomen will extend
up to the level of
the fourth intercostal space or
fifth rib on the
right-hand side in
the mid-clavicular line
and thus, the contents of
the most superior part of the
abdomen are protected by the ribs.
Some of the viscera in
the inferior part of
the abdomen will be
protected by the ilia.
