A18 Abdomen 1

Question 1

Describe the boundaries of the abdominal cavity

Answer 1

Cranial: diaphragm, L4, sternum
Dorsal: lumbar & sacral vertebrae, hypaxial mm.
Ventral: xiphoid cartilage, linea alba
Caudal: pelvic cavity
Lateral: ribs, body wall mm. e.g. EAO, IAO, TA

Question 2

Identify the viscera contained within the abdomen

Answer 2

• Stomach
• small intestines
• large intestines
• liver
• pancreas
• spleen
• adrenal glands
• urinary tract (kidneys, ureters, bladder)
• female reproductive system

Question 3

Explain the peritoneum & understand the relationship between abdominal organs

Answer 3

Peritoneum is a serous membrane which lines the abdominal cavity and allows viscera to move around easily

Parietal peritoneum: lines inner surface of abdominal wall
Visceral peritoneum: covers organs of abdomen
Connecting peritoneum: double sheets of peritoneum between organs or connecting them to parietal peritoneum (mesenteries, omenta, ligaments)

Intraperitoneal organs are within the peritoneum (stomach)
Retroperitoneal organs lie outside the peritoneum (kidneys)

Question 4

Describe the greater & lesser omenta

Answer 4

Greater omentum
- lies between ventral abdominal wall & jejunum
- double walled lacy network surrounded by fat
- superficial leaf & deep leaf
- attaches to:
- greater curvature of stomach to spleen (gastrosplenic ligament)
- greater curvature of stomach to dorsal wall (via pancreas)
- superficial & deep covers intestines

Lesser omentum
- small
- runs between lesser curvature of stomach & liver

Question 5

Describe the topography of the stomach

Answer 5

Sits in the cranial abdomen, LHS

comprises of a number of regions:
• cardia
• fundus
• body
• pylorus

Greater curvature of stomach & lesser curvature og stomach

Peritoneal attachments:
Greater omentum
Lesser omentum

Question 6

Describe the topographic anatomy of the small intestine

Answer 6

Duodenum
- 1st part of small intestine
- little mobility
- 4 parts: descending, caudal flexure, ascending, cranial flexure
- peritoneal attachments: mesoduodenum, duodenocolic fold

Jejunum
- longest, most mobile part
- blood supply
- peritoneal attachments: greater mesentery

Ileum
- very short
- terminal part of SI
- peritoneal attachments: ileocaecal fold

Question 7

Describe the topographic anatomy of the large intestine

Answer 7

Caecum
- short, blind ending

Colon
- ascending, transverse, descending

Rectum & anus (pelvic cavity)

Peritoneal attachments: mesocolon, meso rectum, duodenocolic fold

Question 8

Describe the topographic anatomy of the liver

Answer 8

Consists of 6 lobes:
- two lateral lobes (left & right)
- two medial lobes (left & right)
- quadrate lobe
- caudate lobe (caudate process & papillary process)

Gall bladder