1-7 Anatomy of the Infracolic Compartment Flashcards
What is the jejunoileum?
portion of the small intestine (jejunum and ileum) that connects the duodenum with the cecum of the colon
Why is the term jejunoileum used?
The common term jejunoileum is 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.
When comparing the jejunum to the ilium, what are the differences?
the jejunum has:
- Greater diameter
- Thicker wall
- Increased number of circular folds
- Few lymphoid nodules
- Increased vascularity
- Deeper color
- Less mesenteric fat
- Arterial arcades are fewer
- Vasa recta are long
What is the location of the jejunum?
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
Also, most of the jejunum lies in the left upper quadrant, while most of the ileum resides in the lower right quadrant.
What does the terminal ileum have to do with the iliocecal junction? What are the spatial relationships involved?
Note: The terminal ileum ascends from the pelvis to become continuous with the right colon at the cecum (ileocecal junction).
What is the approximate length of the jejunoilium?
~20 feet
Upper 2/5 (8 ft.) is jejunum; lower 3/5 (12 ft.) is ileum
Why does the thickness of the intestinal wall decrease as the jejunoilium proceeds?
Decrease in thickness of both the inner circular and outer longitudinal muscular layers
Decrease in the number of plica circularis
- more plica = more absorption
What anchors the jejunoileum to the posterior body wall?
Mesentery proper/dorsal mesentery
What is the point of attachment for the dorsal mesentery?
The actual point of attachment or “root” begins at the point of re-peritonealizaton 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.
One heck of a point.
What is housed in the dorsal mesentery?
Blood vessels
nerves
lymphatics, all to jejunileum
Fat storage, with increasing adipocytes as you approach the ileum
What is the approximate length of the large bowel?
~ 5 ft
What are the parts of the large bowel?
cecum + appendix ascending colon transverse colon descending colon sigmoid colon rectum anal canal
How is the large bowel different from the small bowel?
More distensible Thinner muscular layers haustra coli omental/epiploic appendages are enclosed within peritoneum Plica semilunares No villi removes water stores and compacts stool
How is the muscular layer different in the large bowel versus the small? What are the muscular parts?
It consists of three narrow bands (approx. 1 cm. in width), the teniae coli (libre, omentalis, meoscolica), which are spaced approximately equidistant from one another around the tube.
They begin at the appendix and extend to the rectum where they expand and fuse with one another to become a more robust and distinct layer.
What causes the haustra coli to form?
The teniae coli are shorter by 1/6 than the length of the colon. This causes the colon to be sacculated forming the haustra coli.
What is fusion fascia? What is unique about it?
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, forming 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.
What are the peritonealized portions of the large intestine?
appendix, cecum, transverse colon, sigmoid colon, superior rectum
What is the mesoappendix?
extension of dorsal mesentery to the appendix
Fixes appendix to posterior body wall
What is the transverse mesocolon?
suspends the transverse colon from the posterior body wall along a transverse line at approximately L1 L2
What is the sigmoid mesocolon?
suspends the sigmoid colon across the left pelvic brim to the third sacral segment
Where and what is the cecum?
Located in RLQ; peritonealized
Blind pouch at the proximal portion of the ascending colon
What is the ileocecal valve?
terminal ileum invaginates into the cecum to form the superior and inferior lips of the ileocecal valve
Is the iliocecal valve competent?
Although the circular muscle layer of the ileum is continued into the lips of the ileocecal valve, the valve is not competent. That is, contraction of the terminal ileum is more important in preventing reflux of cecal contents into the ileum.
Valve functions more like a sphincter
What and where is the appendix?
Blind-ending diverticulum; average length is 8 cm.
Occupies a retrocecal position (64%)
Is there any muscles associated with the appendix?
Possesses a complete coat of longitudinal muscle formed by the taenia coli which begin at the appendix
What is the location of the ascending colon?
Extends from the cecum to the right colic flexure
Retroperitoneal
What is the relationship between the ascending colon and the right paracolic gutter?
gutter is located between the ascending colon and the right lateral body wall
What is the location of the transverse colon?
Extends from the right colic flexure (hepatic) to the left colic flexure (splenic)
What are the attachments and ligaments associated with the transverse colon?
transverse mesocolon - hangs transverse colon from posterior body wall
gastrocolic ligament - attaches it to stomach
omental apron of greater ometum - anterior side
phrenicocolic ligament - attaches left colic flexure to left diaphragm
What is the course of the descending colon?
Extends from the left colic flexure to the pelvic brim
Descends on the posterior body wall musculature along the lateral border of the left kidney
Retroperitoneal
What is the relationship between the descending colon and the left paracolic gutter?
left paracolic gutter is located between the descending colon and the left lateral body wall
What is the course of the sigmoid colon?
Extends from the descending colon to the rectum
S shaped, beginning on the left side extending to the right and ending on the midline where it becomes continuous with the rectum
Why is the rectum divided into thirds?
due to partial peritonealization
What is the peritonealization of the proximal third of the rectum?
continuous with the sigmoid covered with peritoneum laterally and anteriorly
What is the peritonealization of the middle third of the rectum?
covered with peritoneum anteriorly only