Gut Book 4: Infracolic Compartment: Intestines, Superior and Inferior Mesenteric Vessels, Hepatic Portal Vein Flashcards
(108 cards)
Small bowel
small intestine distal to duodenum
Jejunoileum
that portion of the small intestine (jejunum and ileum) that connects the duodenum with the cecum of the colon
jejunoileum relations
anteriorly- to anterior body wall peritoneum
medially- to the cecum, ascending and descending colon (sometimes partly overlapping these structures anteriorly, too)
superiorly- to the transverse colon
inferiorly- to the sigmoid colon
posteriorly- through posterior body wall peritoneum to retroperitoneal strutures, i.e. aorta, IVC, kidneys, parts II & III of the duodenum and lower half and uncinate process of the pancreas
Why is the common term jejunoileum used?
because the transition from jejunum to ileum is so gradual that their definitive structural differences are most easily observed by comparing their combined proximal and distal regions.
Compared to ileum, the jejunum has
greater diameter thicker wall increased number of circular folds few lymphoid nodules increased vascularity deeper color less mesenteric fat fewer arterial arcades longer vasa recta
Thickness of intestinal wall decreases from above downward due to
- decrease in thickness of both the inner circular and outer longitudinal muscular layers
- decrease in the number of plica circularis
Jejunoileum general characteristics & location
approx 20 feet in length
Upper 2/5 (8 ft) is jejunum; lower 3/5 (12 feet) is ileum
begins at the point of re-peritonealization of part IV of the duodenum on the left of LV2
Upper 1/3 of the jejunoileum located in the upper left quadrant
middle 1/3 located in umbilical region
lower 1/3 in pelvis and right iliac fossa
Note: most of the jejunum lies in the left upper quadrant, while most of the ileum resides in the lower right quadrant. The terminal ileum ascends from the pelvis to become continuous with the right colon at the cecum (ileocecal junction)
Jejunoileum: mesentery
The jejunoileum is anchored to the posterior body wall by the MESENTERY PROPER (dorsal mesentery). The actual point of attachment or “root” begins at the point of re-peritonealization of the distal duodenum (part 4 located to the left of LV2) and extends across the posterior body wall in an inferior oblique direction to the level of the right sacroiliac joint, a course of six to seven inches. In its course it crosses the third part of the duodenum, aorta, IVC and the right ureter, right gonadal vessels and the right psoas major muscle.
To accommodate such an abbreviated mesenteric attachment the jejunoileum, as well as it accompanying mesentery…
are thrown into folds similar to those of a collapsible paper fan.
mesentery proper: contents
blood vessels, nerves and lymphatic vessels traverse the mesentery to reach the jejunoileum.
The mesentery is also a fat storage area, the amount of fat increasing as the ileum is approached.
Meckel’s diverticulum
the remnant of the yolk stalk, if present (1-2%), is located within the terminal meter of ileum on the anti-mesenteric border.
Rule of 2s for Meckel’s diverticulum:
located within approx 2 ft of distal ileum
Occurs in 2% of population
2 cm in length
usually discovered by the age of 2
May contain 2 types of ectopic tissue: gastric and pancreatic mucosa
Note from lecture: this extra pancreatic tissue can lead to it digesting itself
Peyer’s Patches
Collections of lymphocytic nodules that exist on the anti-mesenteric border of the terminal ileum
Large Bowel description
approx 5 ft in length
extends from cecum to anus forming an arch which borders the small intestine to the right, superiorly, to the left and partially inferiorly
Large bowel divisions
cecum with appendix, ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, sigmoid colon, rectum and anal canal
Large bowel differs from the small bowel how?
- is more distensible than the small bowel although the diameter may appear the same
- muscular layers are thinner, to the extent that the outer longitudinal layer is incomplete. It consists of three narrow bands (approx 1 cm. in width), the teniae coli.
They are shorter by 1/6 than the length of the colon. This causes the colon to be sacculated forming the HAUSTRA COLI (pouches) - fat storage appendages are present
- circular folds are replaced by semilunar folds
Epiploic (omental) appendages
fat storage bodies enclosed and suspended within the peritoneum of the large bowel.
Plica semilunares
Internally, the plica circularis of the small bowel are replaced by plica semilunares (semilunar folds) in the large bowel.
Microscopically, the mucosa of the large bowel is…
evenly developed and devoid of villi
Large bowel function
remove water from food residues and store and compact stool.
Mesenteries of the large bowel
mesoappendix, transverse mesocolon, sigmoid mesocolon
fusion fascia
The ascending and descending colon are secondarily retroperitoneal. The area dorsal to them represent areas of fusion between two planes of fascia: the formerly peritonealized colon and the peritoneum of the posterior body wall. This fascial area is referred to as FUSION FASCIA. It is unique because the ascending and descending colon can be safely approached surgically through these areas as no vessels or nerves traverse these planes of fascia.
Peritonealized portions of the large intestine include:
appendix, cecum, transverse colon, sigmoid colon, and superior rectum
Mesoappendix
extension of dorsal mesentery to the appendix