Gastrointestinal anatomy Flashcards
Name all of the parts of the GI tract from proximal to distal
Mouth/oral cavity Oesophagus Stomach Duodenum Jejunum Ileum Caecum & appendix Ascending colon Hepatic flexure Transverse colon Splenic flexure Descending colon Sigmoid colon Rectum Anus
Which organs in the GI tract are foregut organs?
Oesophagus Stomach Mid-duodenum Liver Spleen Gallbladder 1/2 of pancreas
Which organs in the GI tract are midgut organs?
1/2 of duodenum
Small intestine
Proximal 2/3 of transverse colon
1/2 of pancreas
Which organs in the GI tract are hindgut organs?
Distal 1/3 of transverse colon
Sigmoid colon
Rectum
Proximal 1/2 of anal canal
What is the peritoneal cavity?
A thin, enclosed space containing a little peritoneal fluid secreted by the peritoneum
What is the peritoneum?
A sensitive, semi-permeable membrane
What name is given to the surgical procedure of opening the abdominal cavity?
Laparotomy
When undertaking paracentesis, why must the placement of the needle be lateral to the rectus sheath?
To avoid the inferior epigastric vessels which run in the anterior abdominal wall, deep to the rectus sheath
What is the deep inguinal ring?
The entrance to the inguinal canal
What is the inguinal canal?
A passage in the anterior abdominal wall which in men conveys the spermatic cord and in women the round ligament
What is the falciform ligament?
Attaches the liver to the anterior abdominal wall, lies between the right and left lobe of the liver
What two structures does the greater omentum connect?
The stomach to the transverse colon
What two structures does the lesser omentum connect?
The stomach to the liver
Which structure lies within the “free edge” of the lesser omentum?
The portal triad
How does the greater sac communicate with the lesser sac?
Through the omental foramen
What is the enteric nervous system?
An extensive network of nerves found only within the walls of the GI tract
Where do the sympathetic nerve fibres exit the spinal cord to reach the abdominal organs?
T5-L2
Where do the sympathetic nerve fibres supplying the abdominal organs synapse?
Prevertebral ganglia, located anterior to the aorta at the exit points of the major branches of the aorta
What nerves do the sympathetic nerves exit the sympathetic chain within?
Abdominopelvic splanchnic nerves
What are the names of the prevertebral ganglia within the abdomen?
Celiac ganglion
Superior mesenteric ganglion
Inferior mesenteric ganglion
How do postsynaptic sympathetic nerve fibres travel to the abdominal organs?
They travel on the surface of the arterial branches leaving the abdominal aorta
What are periarterial plexuses?
Nerve plexuses around the arteries consisting of sympathetic, parasympathetic and visceral afferents
What is unique about the nerve supply to the adrenal glands?
The sympathetic nerve fibres do not synapse at the prevertebral ganglia - instead, the presynaptic fibres are carried to the adrenal gland where they synapse directly onto the cells
At which level of the spinal cord do the sympathetic nerve fibres destined for the adrenal gland leave at?
T10-L1
Where do the presynaptic parasympathetic nerve fibres within the vagus nerve enter the abdominal cavity?
The surface of the oesophagus - “vagal trunks”
Up to which structure do parasympathetic nerve fibres supply in the GI tract?
Up to the distal end of the transverse colon
What parasympathetic nerve supply is there for the distal end of the transverse colon and down to the anal canal?
Pelvic splanchnic nerves S2, 3, 4
Where do pain fibres from foregut structures enter the spinal cord?
T6-T9
Where do pain fibres from midgut structures enter the spinal cord?
T8-T12
Where do pain fibres from hindgut organs enter the spinal cord?
T10-L2
What artery is the inferior epigastric artery a branch of?
External iliac
Where is the deep inguinal ring located?
Halfway between the ASIS and pubic tubercle
What three vessels make up the portal triad?
Hepatic artery
Hepatic portal vein
Common bile duct
What are the three initial branches of the celiac trunk?
Left gastric artery
Hepatic artery
Splenic artery
Which artery, originating from the celiac trunk, has a particularly tortuous course?
Splenic artery
Where is the spleen located?
It is an intraperitoneal organ located within the left hypochondrium
Which structure lies anterior to the spleen?
Stomach
Which structure lies medial to the spleen?
Left kidney