Introduction to the alimentary system and anatomy overview

Question 1

What is the peritoneum?

Answer 1

The serous membrane that forms the lining of the abdominopelvic cavity.

Question 2

What is the meaning of a potential space?

Answer 2

A space which has the potential to be filled

Question 3

What fluid is found in the peritoneal cavity and roughly how much is normal to have? (no value needed)

Answer 3

Peritoneal fluid

A little

Question 4

Note 2 differences between the peritoneum and the pericardium/pleura

Answer 4

Different locations

Deals with more than a single structure

Question 5

What are the 4 boundaries of the peritoneum?

Answer 5

diaphragm, anterior abdominal muscles, lumbar vertebrae and pelvic floor muscle

Question 6

What is the main constituent lining the abdominopelvic cavity?

Answer 6

muscle, little bone

Question 7

Name some situations in which the pressure in the abdominopelvic cavity can increase

Answer 7

lifting, straining, stabilise the core, urination and defecation and child birth

Question 8

What muscles will have relations with the posterior organs?

Answer 8

posterior wall muscles

Question 9

What is the linea alba?

Answer 9

A white line running from the xiphoid process to the pubic symphysis running down the midline which is a connection of the muscles from the left and right side of the body meeting

Question 10

What is a situation in which the linea alba can change colour and what is this colour change?

Answer 10

Can turn brown during pregnancy

Question 11

What does the rectus sheath allow?

Answer 11

Muscles to move independently in opposite directions

Question 12

What does the peritoneum allow communication with?

Answer 12

The posterior wall (The arteries, nerves etc)

Question 13

Peritoneum away from the posterior wall must have a fold. What is the name for this?

Answer 13

Mesentery (need a mesentery to communicate with posterior wall)

Question 14

What is a fold between 2 organs called?

Answer 14

omentum - greater and lesser linked to the stomach

Question 15

Name some cells which can travel through the peritoneum?

Answer 15

Single cells eg lymphocytes, antibodies, bacteria and viruses

Question 16

What do the mesentery allow to get in specifically?

Answer 16

Arterial branches

Question 17

What is the peritoneal cavity and give some situations in which it may be different.

Answer 17

Space between organs - none in reality
Space in dead cadavers due to organs shrinking up
Space when fluid eg peritonitis and bleeding

Question 18

What organs is the lesser omentum between?

Answer 18

Liver and stomach

Question 19

What organs is the greater omentum between?

Answer 19

Stomach and transverse colon

Question 20

Describe briefly the difference between ,ales and females on acquiring an infection eg peritonitis

Answer 20

Females can acquire bacteria from reproductive tract whereas males require damage eg burst ulcer

Question 21

Name the 2 flexures of the transverse colon

Answer 21

Hepatic and splenic

Question 22

Name the 3 parts of the colon. Which is in a mesentery and hence mobile?

Answer 22

Ascending, transverse and descending

transverse

Question 23

What is the small intestine held in by? What travels in these folds?

Answer 23

Folded peritoneum

Arteries and veins

Question 24

What do the arteries and veins travelling in the mesentery allow?

Answer 24

Good blood supply and quick absorption

Question 25

Name the 2 parts of the peritoneal cavity

Answer 25

Greater and lesser sacs

Question 26

What is the lesser sac also known as?

Answer 26

Omental bursa

Question 27

What links the greater and lesser sacs?

Answer 27

Epiploic foramen

Question 28

Why is some of the peritoneal cavity behind the stomach? (lesser sac)

Answer 28

In utero the gut tube and stomach rotate and twist bringing some of the cavity behind the stomach