Final answer:
The physical assessment of the abdomen includes examining the nine abdominal regions and four quadrants, evaluating the anterior and posterior abdominal wall muscles, and may involve imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans, and HIDA scans.
Step-by-step explanation:
The physical assessment of the abdomen is a critical component of a patient's examination. It involves several steps that aid in diagnosing abdominal conditions.
The assessment usually begins with the division of the abdominal cavity into regions and quadrants to accurately describe the location of pain, masses, or other findings.
There are nine abdominal regions and four abdominal quadrants used for this purpose.
The anterior wall of the abdomen consists of skin, fascia, and four pairs of muscles: the rectus abdominis, external oblique, internal oblique, and transversus abdominis muscles.
These provide protection to the organs and assist in movements. In the posterior, the quadratus lumborum muscles form the posterior abdominal wall.
Certain imaging tests like abdominal X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, and HIDA scans can provide evidence of specific conditions like gallbladder disease.