3- Peritoneal Cavity & Mesenteries

Question 1

What are the boundaries of the Peritoneal Cavity?

Answer 1

Anterior = Anterior Abdominal Wall
Posterior = Posterior Abdominal Wall
Superior = Respiratory Diaphragm 
Inferior = Floor of Pelvic Cavity

Question 2

This lines the inner surface of the abdominal wall.

Answer 2

Parietal Peritoneum

Question 3

This covers many of the abdominal organs.

Answer 3

Visceral Peritoneum

Question 4

T/F. The peritoneal cavity between the parietal and visceral peritoneum is a space containing vessels and nerves.

Answer 4

False. This is a potential space, there should be nothing in it except for peritoneal (serous) fluid. If it fills then something is wrong.

Question 5

What is the function of the Peritoneum?

Answer 5

1. Produce peritoneal fluid, which lubricates the peritoneum.
2. Minimize friction between abdominal organs.
3. Resist infection by:
   - - Producing Abs
   - - Producing leukocytes
   - - Localizing infection

Question 6

The peritoneal cavity has two subdivisions, which are continuous. The smaller of these subdivisions is the…

Answer 6

Lesser Sac (Omental Bursa)

Question 7

This peritoneal cavity subdivision is located between the Lesser Omentum and Greater Omentum. Also behind the stomach and caudate lobe of the Liver.

Answer 7

Lesser Sac (Omental Bursa)

Question 8

The Lesser Sac is closed off from the major peritoneal cavity (Greater Sac), except for the communication through the…

Answer 8

Epiploic Foramen

Question 9

This is attached to the Transverse Colon, and divides the Peritoneal Cavity into a Supracolic and Infracolic Compartment.

Answer 9

Transverse Mesocolon

Question 10

What is within the Supracolic Compartment of the Peritoneal Cavity?

Answer 10

Stomach
Liver
Spleen

Question 11

The Infracolic Compartment lies posterior to the Greater Omentum. What is within this compartment?

Answer 11

Small Intestine
Ascending Colon
Descending Colon

Question 12

The Greater Sac is the main and larger portion of the Peritoneal Cavity. An incision through the ________ or ________ abdominal wall enters the Greater Sac.

Answer 12

Anterior

Lateral

Question 13

T/F. The peritoneal cavity is completely closed in males.

Answer 13

True

Question 14

In females, there is a communication pathway for the peritoneal cavity to the external world via what?

Answer 14

Uterine Tubes
Uterine Cavity
Vagina

***Provides potential pathway for infection from exterior to peritoneal cavity!

Question 15

What are the boundaries of the Epiploic Foramen?

Answer 15

Anterior = Hepatoduodenal Ligament

Posterior = Parietal Peritoneum covering Inferior Vena Cava

Superior = Peritoneal reflection from liver (caudate lobe) to front of Inferior Vena Cava

Inferior = 1st part of Duodenum

Question 16

This is a double-layered membrane of peritoneum, which provides a channel through which vessels, nerves, and lymphatics travel to reach various abdominal organs.

Answer 16

Mesentery

Question 17

Where does the Mesentery attach?

Answer 17

Posterior Abdominal Wall
Jejunum
Ileum

Question 18

There is a variable amount of _______ deposited within the Mesentery.

Answer 18

Fat

Question 19

This attaches the lesser curvature of the stomach and 1st part of the duodenum to the liver.

Answer 19

Lesser Omentum

Question 20

The Lesser Omentum has two parts, which are what?

Answer 20

Hepatoduodenal Ligament

Hepatogastric Ligament

Question 21

This attaches the greater curvature of the stomach and the 1st part of the duodenum to the transverse colon.

Answer 21

Greater Omentum

Question 22

Peritoneal ________ consist of two layers of peritoneum that connect one organ with another organ or to the abdominal wall.

Answer 22

Ligaments

Question 23

This ligament attaches the liver to the anterior abdominal wall.

Answer 23

Falciform Ligament

Question 24

This attaches the lesser curvature of the stomach to the liver (part of Lesser Omentum).

Answer 24

Hepatogastric Ligament

Question 25

This attaches the 1st part of the duodenum to the liver (part of Lesser Omentum).

Answer 25

Hepatoduodenal Ligament

Question 26

This attaches the fundus of the stomach to the diaphragm.

Answer 26

Gastrophrenic Ligament

Question 27

This attaches the stomach to the hilum of the spleen.

Answer 27

Gastrosplenic Ligament

Question 28

This is the apron-like part of the Greater Omentum that attaches the greater curvature of the stomach to the transverse colon.

Answer 28

Gastrocolic Ligament

Question 29

This is a pouch of peritoneum that is formed by a peritoneal fold (i.e., Inferior recess of the Omental Bursa between the layers of the Greater Omentum).

Answer 29

Peritoneal Recess

Question 30

This is the inflammation of the peritoneum, usually caused by bacterial contamination, which results in severe abdominal pain, tenderness, nausea, and/or vomiting, fever, and constipation.

Answer 30

Peritonitis

Question 31

What are causes of peritonitis?

Answer 31

1. Bursed viscera (i.e., ruptured appendix)
2. Perforated viscera (i.e., perforated gastric ulcer)
3. Physical trauma to viscera (i.e., knife or bullet wound)

Question 32

This is excess peritoneal fluid in the peritoneal cavity, and causes include mechanical injury, portal hypertension, metastasis of cancer to the abdominal viscera, and starvation.

Answer 32

Ascites

Question 33

What is a major cause of ascites?

Answer 33

Cirrhosis

***Common with alcoholics!

Question 34

A frequent complication of ascites is a _______ _______, located in the peritoneal lined space between the diaphragm and liver.

Answer 34

Subphrenic Abscess

***This space is called the Subphrenic Recess!

Question 35

The flow of ascitic fluid and spread of intraperitoneal infections typically involves the ________ ________, which are located immediately lateral to the ascending and descending colon. The ascitic fluid passes inferiorly through these into the pelvic cavity.

Answer 35

Paracolic Gutters

Question 36

Another possibility for spread of infection is for pelvic infections to travel to the _______ _______ via the Paracolic Gutters.

Answer 36

Subphrenic Recess

Question 37

What are the causes for getting fluid in the Omental Bursa (Lesser Sac)?

Answer 37

1. Perforated posterior stomach wall
2. Pancreatitis
3. Trauma to pancreas