Digestive System Part 1 Flashcards
The abdomen is enclosed by the…
Abdominal wall and the inner large peritoneal cavity
What are the 3 main functions of the abdominal cavity
→ protects+ contains the major organs
→ breathing- abdominal wall relaxes to allow thoracic cavity to expand-contract
→ increasing abdominal pressure, assists in defecation and childbirth
What are the 4 quadrants of the abdomen.
4 quadrants
• Median sagittal plane
• Axia plane at the level of the
umbilicus and L3/4
-right upper quadrant
Left upper quadrant
Right lower quadrant
Left lower quadrant
What are the 9 regions of the abdomen
Right hypochondrium
Epigastric region
Left hypochondrium
Right flank
Umbilical region
Left flank
Right groin / iliac
Left groin / iliac
Pubic region
How is the abdomen divided for clinical purposes?
4 quadrants: Median sagittal and axial plane (L3/L4)
9 regions: Mid-clavicular planes, subcostal plane (L3), intertubercular plane (L5)
What structures are found in the right hypochondrium?
Liver, gallbladder, right kidney, small intestine
What structures are found in the epigastric region?
Stomach, liver, pancreas, duodenum, adrenal glands, transverse colon
What are the five layers of the abdominal wall?
Skin, subcutaneous tissue, muscle and fascia, extra-peritoneal fat, parietal peritoneum
What are the major muscles of the abdominal wall?
External oblique, internal oblique, transversus abdominis, rectus abdominis, pyramidalis
What is the peritoneum and its functions?
A continuous serous membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and covers organs
Reduces friction, allows movement, and provides pathways for vessels and nerves
What is the function of mesenteries?
Suspend organs in place, allow limited movement, provide a conduit for blood vessels, nerves, and lymphatics
What is the greater omentum and its function?
A large peritoneal fold extending from the stomach over the intestines
Fat storage, immune response, limits infection spread
hat is the function of the lesser omentum?
Connects the lesser curvature of the stomach to the liver
What organs are intraperitoneal?
Stomach, small intestine, transverse colon, liver, spleen, tail of pancreas
What organs are retroperitoneal?
Kidneys, adrenal glands, ureters, aorta, inferior vena cava, parts of the colon and pancreas
What is the function of the digestive system?
Converts food into energy, absorbs nutrients, eliminates waste
What are the main parts of the GI tract?
Mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, anus
What are the four main tissue layers of the GI tract?
Mucosa- inner epithelium, contains blood and lymph
submucosa- loose connective tissue to bind mucosa to the muscle layer. contains neuromuscular and lymph structures
muscularis- muscle layer, helps churn and mass movements
serosa- fibrous outer layer in the thorax. single serous layer membrane in the peritoneum
What is the mucosa layer responsible for?
Protection, secretion, absorption
mucous membrane
lamina proproa
muscular mucosa
What are the two layers of muscle in the GI tract?
Inner circular and outer longitudinal muscles
What is the function of peristalsis?
Moves food through the digestive system via coordinated muscle contractions
What is the function of the autonomic nervous system in digestion?
Parasympathetic: Increases secretion and motility
Sympathetic: Decreases secretion and motility
What is the arterial blood supply to the digestive system?
Coeliac artery (liver, spleen, stomach)
Superior mesenteric artery (small intestine, pancreas)
Inferior mesenteric artery (colon, rectum)
What is the main venous drainage of the digestive system?
Hepatic portal system in the liver
