GI ligaments

Question 1

falciform ligament: connects, structures contained. where was it derived from?

Answer 1

connects the LIVER and the ABDOMINAL WALL.

contains the ligamentum teres hepatis (from the fetal umbilical vein). derived from the ventral mesentery.

Question 2

hepatoduodenal ligament: connects; structures contained

Answer 2

hepatoduodenal ligament connects the LIVER and the DUODENUM.
it contains the PORTAL TRIAD: proper hepatic artery, portal vein, and the common bile duct.
the proper hepatic artery comes from the the common hepatic artery (which splits into the proper hepatic and the gastroduodenal arteries). It supplies blood to the liver. the portal vein brings nutrient-rich (and potentially toxin-rich) from the intestine to the liver. The common bile duct joins the cystic and the common hepatic ducts.

Question 3

What is the Pringle maneuver?

Answer 3

compression of the hepatoduodenal ligament btw the thumb and the index finger placed in the OMENTAL FORAMEN. meant to control bleeding
recall that the omental foramen is also called the epiploic foramen, and represents the passage btw the greater and lesser omentum.

Question 4

gastrocolic ligament: connections and the structures contained

Answer 4

connects the greater curvature of the stomach and the transverse colon
contains the gastroepiploic arteries and is part of the greater omentum.

Question 5

gastrohepatic ligament: connections and structures contained. clinical relevance

Answer 5

LIVER and LESSER CURVATURE of the stomach. contains the gastric arteries. this ligament separates the greater and lesser sacs on the right. it may be cut during surgery to access the lesser sac.

Question 6

gastrosplenic ligament: connections, structures contained, clinical significance

Answer 6

connects the greater curvature and the spleen.

contains the short gastrics and the left gastroepiploic vessels. separates the greater and lesser sacs on the left

Question 7

splenorenal ligament: connections and structures contained

Answer 7

connects the spleen and the posterior abdominal wall

contains the splenic artery and vein, and the tail of the pancreas

Question 8

What are the layers of the gut wall, from inside to outside?

Answer 8

mucosa, submucosa, muscularis externa, and the serosa

Question 9

functions and structures of the mucosal layer of the GI tract

Answer 9

contains the epithelium (absorption), the lamina propria (support), and the muscularis mucosa (motility functions)

Question 10

functions and structures of the submucosa of the GI tract

Answer 10

submucosa: mostly support for the mucosa. also has submucosal nerve (Meissner’s) plexus, which controls secretions, and glands.

Question 11

functions and structures of the muscularis externa in the GI tract

Answer 11

two layers of muscle with the myenteric (auerbach) nerve plexus sandwhiched in between:
inner circular layer, outer longitudinal layer.
Auerbach plexus controls motility.

Question 12

what is the serosa and where is it located?

Answer 12

serosa is a support structrure seen in intraperitoneal structures. it is an adventitia in retroperitoneal structures.

Question 13

What is the difference between an erosion and an ulcer?

Answer 13

erosion is confined to the mucosa. an ulcer may extend into the submucosa or the inner/outer muscular layers.

Question 14

What is the normal histology of the esophagus

Answer 14

non-keratinized statified squamous epithelium

Question 15

brunner glands: location, function, pathology

Answer 15

found in the duodenum. they secrete alkaline mucus to neutralize acid from the stomach. hypertrophy may be seen in peptic ulcer disease.

Question 16

where are the peyer patches? function?

Answer 16

they are in the lamina propria and submucosa of the ileum. lymphoid structures.