Retroperitoneal Space and Structures

Question 1

Describe the Retroperitoneal Space

Answer 1

Space between the posterior abdominal wall and parietal peritoneum of the abdomen

Question 2

Where does the retroperitoneal space extend from?

Answer 2

12th thoracic vertebrae and 12th rib to the sacrum and the iliac crests below

Question 3

What is the floor/posterior wall of the retroperitoneal space formed from?

Answer 3

Medial to lateral by the psoas and quadratus lumborum muscles and the origin of the transversus abdominus muscle.
Each of these muscles is covered on the anterior surface by a definite layer of fascia.

Question 4

In front of the fascial layers is a variable amount of _____ that forms a bed for the suprarenal glands, the kidneys, the ascending and descending parts of the colon, and the duodenum.

Answer 4

fatty connective tissue

Question 5

The ____ also contains the ureters, renal and gonadal blood vessels.

Answer 5

Retroperitoneal Space

Question 6

The retroperitoneum is the part of the abdominal cavity that lies between

Answer 6

the posterior parietal peritoneum and anterior to the transversalis fascia

Question 7

The retroperitoneum is divided into 3 spaces by the _____

Answer 7

perirenal fascia

Question 8

Name the 3 spaces of the perirenal fascia

Answer 8

1. Anterior para-renal space
2. Peri-renal space
3. Posterior para-renal space

Question 9

Define para

Answer 9

adjacent to

Question 10

Define peri

Answer 10

Around/surrounded by

Question 11

What are the structures of the retroperitoneal space?

Answer 11

SAD PUCKER
S-Surprarenal glands
A-Aorta/Inferior Vena Cava
D-Duodenum (2nd-4)

P- Pancreas (Except for tail)
U-Ureters
C-Colon (Ascending/Descending)
K-Kidneys
E-Esophagus (lower)
R- Rectum

Question 12

What are the two yellowish organs that cap the upper poles of the kidneys (on the posterior abdominal wall) and what is their function?

Answer 12

Suprarenal (Adrenal) Glands

Produce Hormones

Question 13

The Aorta favors the ____ side and the Inferior Vena Cava favors the ___ side

Answer 13

Aorta–>left side

Inferior Vena Cava–> right side

Question 14

Due to the shape of the diaphragm, the ___ has a longer path in this area than the ___.

Answer 14

Inferior Vena Cava; Aorta

Question 15

After passing through the diaphragm via their respective organs, these great vessels lie

Answer 15

directly ANTERIOR to the vertebral column and beside each other

Question 16

The first part of the small intestine.

Answer 16

Duodenum

Question 17

Most of this part of the small intestine is deeply place on the posterior abdominal wall.

Answer 17

Duodenum

Question 18

The Duodenum is a C-shaped tube that extends from

Answer 18

the stomach, around the head of the pancreas to join to the jejunum.

Question 19

About halfway down the duodenum, the small intestine receives

Answer 19

the bile and the pancreatic ducts

Question 20

This is a soft, lobulated organ that stretches obliquely across the posterior abdominal wall in the epigastric region. It is situated behind the stomach and extends from the duodenum to the spleen.

Answer 20

Pancreas

Question 21

Each kidney gives rise to a ureter that runs vertically downward on top of the _____

Answer 21

psoas muscle.

Question 22

The ___ extends upward from the cecum to the inferior surface of the right lobe of the liver, occupying the right lower and upper quadrants.

Answer 22

Ascending colon

Question 23

Upon reaching the liver, the ascending colon bends to the left, forming the

Answer 23

right colic hepatic flexure

Question 24

The _____ extends from the left colic flexure to the pelvis below. It occupies the left upper and lower quadrants

Answer 24

Descending Colon

Question 25

Two reddish brown organs situated high up on the posterior abdominal wall, one on each side of the vertebral column.

Answer 25

Kidneys

Question 26

Which kidney lies slightly lower than the other?

Answer 26

Right; because the liver is pushing it down

Question 27

This is a long tubular structure that connects the pharynx to the stomach

Answer 27

Esophagus

Question 28

Under certain peritoneal conditions such as peritonities, the peritoneal cavity may be distended with abnormal fluid, ______

Answer 28

ascites

Question 29

The _____ is shorter and smaller in caliber than the inferior vena cava.

Answer 29

abdominal aorta

Question 30

The _____ arises about 4 cm superior to the aortic bifurcation and crosses the left common iliac vessels to become the superior rectal artery.

Answer 30

inferior mesenteric artery

Question 31

The ____ drains the left testis, left suprarenal gland and the left kidney.

Answer 31

left renal vein

Question 32

The renal arteries are ____ to the renal veins

Answer 32

posterior

Question 33

The ____ crosses the external iliac artery just beyond the common iliac bifurcation

Answer 33

ureter

Question 34

The ______ cross anterior to the ureter and join the ductus deferens at the deep inguinal ring.

Answer 34

testicular vessels

Question 35

The ______ and the ______ pass between the aorta posteriorly and the superior mesenteric artery anteriorly.

Answer 35

left renal vein; duodenum

Question 36

_____ of the kidneys is an important cause of renal failure.

Answer 36

Adult polycistic disease

Question 37

_____ (multiple or solitary) are common and usually benign findings during ultrasound examinations and dissection of cadavers.

Answer 37

Cysts in the kidney

Question 38

The superior pole of the kidney is closer to the _____ than the inferior pole.

Answer 38

median plane

Question 39

The ____ is a vertical “pocket” opening on the medial side of the kidney

Answer 39

renal sinus

Question 40

Tucked into the pocket, the renal sinus, are the ____ and ____ in a matrix of perinephric fat

Answer 40

Renal Pelvis and Renal Vessels

Question 41

The ____ is the funcional unit of the kidney consisting of a renal corpuscle, proximal tubule, nephron loop, and distal tubule.

Answer 41

nephron