Large Animal Anatomy of Abdominal Wall

Question 1

Flank

Answer 1

Lateral abdominal region between caudal border of the last rib and the cranial border of the thigh.

Question 2

Borders of paralumbar fossa

Answer 2

1. Transverse processes of lumbar vertebrae
2. Last rib (T13 in cow)
3. Portion of internal abdominal oblique muscle

Question 3

What muscle can be palpated at the fold of the flank?

Answer 3

Ventral border of cutaneous trunci muscle

Question 4

Abdomen vs Abdominal Cavity

Answer 4

Abdominal wall is part of the body that shields the abdominal organs from the front and begins at the costal arch and consists of the soft belly that extends caudally to the cranial border of the thigh.
The abdominal cavity is much larger, and goes from the thoracic cage (separated from thoracic viscera by the diaphragm) and extends past the thigh and to the brim of the pubis.