Abdomen

Question 1

What is the peritoneum?

Answer 1

A thin layer of connective tissue that forms the inner lining of the abdomen. The portion touching the abdominal wall is call the parietal peritoneum. The portion touching the abdominal organs is the visceral periotoneum.

Question 2

What are the retroperitoneal structures?

Answer 2

Kidneys, pancreas, aorta

Question 3

What are the 3 common mechanisms for abdominal pain?

Answer 3

Distention

Ischemia

Inflammation

Question 4

What is the difference between visceral and somatic pain?

Answer 4

Visceral is poorly localized.

Somatic is is better localized and sharp.

Question 5

What is the purpose of the spleen and what is its location?

Answer 5

Located in upper left quadrant behind ribs 9, 10, 11.

Responsible for fighting infection by production of white blood cells. It produces both white and red blood cells.

Filter blood cells and removed old/damaged red blood cells.