GI - Anatomy (Retroperitoneal structures & Important GI ligaments)

Question 1

What is the main rule/concept behind retroperitoneal structures?

Answer 1

Retroperitoneal structures include GI structures that lack a mesentery and non-GI structures

Question 2

What can result from injuries to retroperitoneal structures?

Answer 2

Injuries to retroperitoneal structures can cause blood or gas accumulation in retroperitoneal space.

Question 3

Name 9-10 retroperitoneal structures. Where applicable, specify which parts of these structures are retroperitoneal.

Answer 3

(1) Suprarenal (adrenal) glands (2) Aorta and IVC (3) Duodenum (2nd through 4th parts) (4) Pancreas (except tail) (5) Ureters (6) Colon (descending and ascending) (7) Kidneys (8) Esophagus (lower 2/3) (9) Rectum (partially); Think: “SAD PUCKER”

Question 4

Sketch a CT image including and labeling the following retroperitoneal structues: (1) Duodenum (2) Aorta (3) Descending colon (4) Ascending colon (5) Pancreas (6) IVC (7) Perirenal space (8) Peritoneum (9) Transversalis fascia (10) Kidney.

Answer 4

See p. 335 in First Aid 2014 for visual at bottom of page

Question 5

What structures does the falciform ligament connect?

Answer 5

Liver to anterior abdominal wall

Question 6

What structures does the hepatoduodenal ligament connect?

Answer 6

Liver to duodenum

Question 7

What structures does the gastrohepatic ligament connect?

Answer 7

Liver to lesser curvature of stomach

Question 8

What structures does the gastrocolic ligament connect?

Answer 8

Greater curvature and transverse colon

Question 9

What structures does the gastrosplenic ligament connect?

Answer 9

Greater curvature and spleen

Question 10

What structures does the splenorenal ligament connect?

Answer 10

Spleen to posterior abdominal wall

Question 11

What structures does the falciform ligament contain?

Answer 11

Ligamentum teres hepatis (derivative of fetal umbilical vein)

Question 12

What structures does the hepatoduodenal ligament contain?

Answer 12

Portal triad: proper hepatic artery, portal vein, common bile duct

Question 13

What structures does the gastrohepatic ligament contain?

Answer 13

Gastric arteries

Question 14

What structures does the gastrocolic ligament contain?

Answer 14

Gastroepiploic arteries

Question 15

What structures does the gastrosplenic ligament contain?

Answer 15

Short gastrics, left gastroepiploic vessels

Question 16

What structures does the splenorenal ligament contain?

Answer 16

Splenic artery and vein, tail of pancreas

Question 17

From what is the falciform ligament a derivative?

Answer 17

Derivative of ventral mesentery

Question 18

What clinical maneuver relates to the hepatoduodenal ligament, and what is done in this maneuver?

Answer 18

Pringle maneuver - ligament may be compressed between thumb and index finger placed in omental foramen to control bleeding

Question 19

What is referenced in terms of the location of the hepatoduodenal? What function does the reference location serve?

Answer 19

Borders the omental foramen, which connects the greater and lesser sac

Question 20

What does the gastrohepatic ligament separate, and on what side of the body?

Answer 20

Separates greater and lesser sacs on the right

Question 21

In what kind of surgery may the gastrohepatic ligament be cut?

Answer 21

May be cut during surgery to access lesser sac

Question 22

What structure is the gastrocolic ligament a part of?

Answer 22

Part of greater omentum

Question 23

What does the gastrohepatic ligament separate, and on what side of the body?

Answer 23

Separates greater and lesser sacs on the left