Anatomy Lecture 4 -- Solid Organs Flashcards
3 solid organs of the abdomen
- Spleen
- Pancreas
- Liver/ Gall bladder
Define the 1x3x5x7x8x9x11 rule
Anatomical proportions of the spleen
- SIZE = 1” x 3” x 5”
- WEIGHT = ~7 oz
- Position = between 9th and 11th ribs
Define the precise location of the spleen
- Between the 9th and 11th ribs
- Left hand side
- Between the stomach and splenic flexure of the colon (anteriorly) and the diaphragm (posteriorly)
- In left hypochondriac region
From what do peritoneal reflections of the spleen develop?
Primitive dorsal mesentery
Describe the relationships of the spleen during the primitive embryonic stage
Located in the dorsal mesentery, which is perfectly in the dorsal midline between the aorta and the developing stomach
Ligaments connected to the spleen
- Splenorenal ligament
- Gastrosplenic ligament
- Phrenicocolic ligament (diaphragm to splenic flexure; spleen rests on it but is not connected by it)
Surfaces of the spleen
- Diaphragmatic surface
- Visceral surface:
- Gastric
- Renal
- Colic
What organs are related to the spleen by the gastric impression
Posterior left side of the stomach and tail of the pancreas
Organs related to the spleen by the renal impression
Upper, left anterior surface of the left kidney
Organs related to the spleen by the colic impression
Splenic flexure of the colon
Blood supply of the spleen
Splenic artery
Splenic vein
Describe the location of the splenic artery
- From the celiac trunk
- Larger, tortuous – posterior to the lesser sac and along the superior border of the pancreas
- Travels through the lienorenal ligament to the spleen
Function of the splenic artery
Provide blood supply to the stomach (short gastric and left gastroepiploic arteries via the gastrosplenic ligament) and the spleen
Describe the location of the splenic vein
- Travels on the posterior surface of the pancreas, below the artery
- Joins with the superior mesenteric vein to form the portal vein
- Usually receives the inferior mesenteric vein behind the body of the pancreas
Common cause of splenomegaly
- Usualyl associated with increased workload (i.e. hemolytic anemias) –> response to hyperfunction
- Therefore associated with any disease process that involves abnormal RBCs being destroyed in the spleen
2 common causes of splenomegaly unrelated to function
- Congestion due to portal hypertension
- Infiltration by leukemias and lymphomas
Treatment of splenomegaly
Removal (without any apparent ill effects)
4 functions of the spleen
- Storage of RBCs
- Destruction of worn-out RBCs
- Removal of foreign material from the blood
- Production of mononuclear leukocytes
COnsequence of losing one’s spleen
Not essential to life; liver and bone marrow can take over many of its functions = no apparent ill effects
5 parts of the pancreas
- Head
- Neck
- Body
- Tail
Describe the anatomical position of the pancreas head
- Lies within the medial curve of the D2
- Uncinate process elongation of inferior border to the left, crossed anteriorly by the superior mesenteric vessels
- Posterior = IVC and bile duct
Describe the anatomical position of the pancreas neck
- Left of the head
- Superior = pylorus and origin of the celiac trunk
- Posterior = origin of the portal vein
Describe the anatomical position of the pancreas body
- Anterior = lesser sac, then stomach
- Posterior = aorta, splenic vein and left kidney
- Inferior = duodenal-jejunal junction
- Superior = splenic artery
Describe the anatomical position of the pancreas tail
- Left extremity
- Extends to the hilum of the spleen in the lienorenal ligament