3.) The organization of the neurovascular bundles in the abdominal wall and relate these structures to back, flank and anterior abdominal wall pain.
When considering pain of the lower back, flank, or anterior abdomen, one should know that the dermatomal map of the anterolateral abdomen is almost identical to the distribution of peripheral nerves. The spinal levels T7-T12 do not participate in plexus formation. The exception to this rule is at the L1 level (iliohypogastric & ilioinguinal). Here, the dermatome has two peripheral nerves and explains why a swift kick to Sam Sauce’s nuts will also elicit epigastric pain.
Between the internal oblique and transversus abdominis muscles is a neurovascular plane, which corresponds with a similar plane in the intercostal spaces. In both regions, the plane lies between the middle and deepest layers of muscle. The neurovascular plane of the anterior abdominal wall contains nerves and arteries supplying anterolateral abdominal wall. In the anterior part of abdominal wall, nerves and vessels leave neurovascular plane and lie mostly in subcutaneous tissue (Moore’s 191).
This photo is sort of helpful and sort of hilarious.
4.) Describe the four routes of the venous drainage of the anterior and posterior abdominal wall
1. Superior epigastric vein & branches of musculophrenic vein