Abdominal cavity and peritoneum Flashcards
(24 cards)
What is the structural difference between the peritoneal cavity in males and females? What is the potential problem with this in females?
In males the peritoneal cavity is closed but in females it connects to the vagina, uterus, and uterine tubes thereby connecting it to the outside world.
“The uterine tubes open into the peritoneal cavity providing a pathway for the spread of infection”
Although there is normally a thin film of peritoneal fluid within the peritoneal cavity, there is a condition in which this fluid has accumulated drastically. What is the name of this condition and which disease(s) is it typically associated with?
Ascites
Liver cirrhosis, CHF, and Ovarian cancer
Bacteria may infect the peritoneum which causes what condition? What could cause this infection? Why is this a severe medical problem to have?
Peritonitis
Perforated peptic ulcer or penetrating wound
Bc the peritoneum covers an expansive SA of the body and the rapid absorption of bacterial toxins
A patient with bacterial peritonitis is seated at a 45 degree angle. What is the purpose of this countermeasure?
This is done in order to reduce the chances of the infected peritoneal fluid spreading through the diaphragm. Normally, peritoneal fluid flows superiorly towards the diaphragm, whereas seaing the patient at a 45 degree angle forces the fluid inferiorly towards the pelvic cavity where the absorption is slower.
In the case of a traumatic peritonitis, what should the provider be acutely aware of? Why?
Peritoneal adhesions
This fibrous bridges can cause bowel or uterine tube-obstructions as well as chronic pain.
In the abdomonical cavity there are organs which have a covering of visceral peritoneum and are suspended by a mesentary. Under what category would these types of organs fal?
Intraperitoneal organs
What are the intraperitoneal organs?
Abdominal esophagus
stomach
duodenum
cecum
liver and gall bladder
spleen
sigmoid colon
transverse colon
appendix
ileum
jejunum
pancreas tail
As opposed to intraperitoneal organs there are what? What is their orientation?
Retroperitoneal organs
Posterior to the parietal peritoneum, covered by parietal peritoneum only on their anterior surface
What are the retroperitoneal organs?
Duodenum except the cap
Ascending colon
Descending colon
Pancreas except the tail
Kidneys
Ureters
Suprarenal glands
Abdominal aorta
Inferior venacava
Within the peritoneum there are 3 structures consisting of double layers. Which one of them is responsible for invaginating and suspending the intraperitoneal organs?
Mesentary
Within the peritoneum there are 3 structures consisting of double layers. Which one of them is responsible for connecting the stomach to the liver?
Lesser omentum
Within the peritoneum there are 3 structures consisting of double layers. Which one of them is responsible for connecting the stomach to the spleen? What else is this structure responsible for?
Greater omentum
Is actually mobile and will move to wall off infections within the peritoneal cavity to prevent peritonitis
Within the peritoneum there are 3 structures consisting of double layers. Which one of them is responsible for connecting abdominal organs to one another or to the abdominal wall? Which other peritoneal structure is this a part of for some organs?
Peritoneal ligaments
Greater/lesser omentum
Within the peritoneum there are 3 structures consisting of double layers. Each of these structures divides the peritoneal cavity into what 2 sacs?
Greater sac => main, larger part of peritoneum
Lesser sac => lies posterior to stomach and lesser omentum
What is the name of the structure which facilitates communication between the greater sac and the omental bursa (lesser sac)?
Omental foramen
What are the borders of the omental foramen?
Anterior => Hepatoduodenal ligament
Posterior => Inferior vena cava
Superior => Liver (caudet lobe)
Inferior => Duodenum (first/superior part)
In the case of an internal hernia in the omental foramen, what must be done in order to free the swollen intestine? Why?
Needle decompression
Bc none of the boundaries of the foramen can be incised
Within the greater sac of the peritoneum, both the transverse colon and mesocolon actually further divide the sac into what 2 compartments?
Supracolic comapartment
Infracolic compartment
What are the contents of the supracolic compartment?
stomach
liver
spleen
What are the contents of the infracolic compartment?
small intestine
ascending colon
descending colon
Within the thorax, the abdominal cavity is able to communicate with the pelvic cavity via which structure(s)? As is the case with most connecting compartments in the abdomen, what is the potential risk here?
Right paracolic gutter - lateral to ascending colon; connects supracolic compartment with pelvic cavity
Left paracolic gutter - lateral to descending colon
Provides pathway for spread of infection or cancer cells
What is the lowest part of the abdominal portion of the peritoneal cavity known as? Between what 2 major organs? What does it communicate with medially? Anteriorly?
Hepatorenal recess (Morison’s pouch)
Liver and kidney
Omental bursa
Subphrenic recess
Abscesses
Infected fluid spread from easily
Inferior to the umbilical portion of the anterolateral abdominal wall there are 5 umbilical folds. What are the names of each?
1 median fold
2 medial folds
2 lateral folds
Lateral to the umbilical folds are 3 distinct depressions otherwise known as peritoneal fossae. What is a common ailment here and what are the 3 fossae named?
Hernias
Supravisceral - between median and medial umbilical folds
Medial inguinal - between medial and lateral umbilical folds
Lateral inguinal - lateral to lateral umbilical folds
