Retroperitoneal Space and Structures Flashcards
Describe the Retroperitoneal Space
Space between the posterior abdominal wall and parietal peritoneum of the abdomen
Where does the retroperitoneal space extend from?
12th thoracic vertebrae and 12th rib to the sacrum and the iliac crests below
What is the floor/posterior wall of the retroperitoneal space formed from?
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.
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.
fatty connective tissue
The ____ also contains the ureters, renal and gonadal blood vessels.
Retroperitoneal Space
The retroperitoneum is the part of the abdominal cavity that lies between
the posterior parietal peritoneum and anterior to the transversalis fascia
The retroperitoneum is divided into 3 spaces by the _____
perirenal fascia
Name the 3 spaces of the perirenal fascia
- Anterior para-renal space
- Peri-renal space
- Posterior para-renal space
Define para
adjacent to
Define peri
Around/surrounded by
What are the structures of the retroperitoneal space?
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
What are the two yellowish organs that cap the upper poles of the kidneys (on the posterior abdominal wall) and what is their function?
Suprarenal (Adrenal) Glands
Produce Hormones
The Aorta favors the ____ side and the Inferior Vena Cava favors the ___ side
Aorta–>left side
Inferior Vena Cava–> right side
Due to the shape of the diaphragm, the ___ has a longer path in this area than the ___.
Inferior Vena Cava; Aorta
After passing through the diaphragm via their respective organs, these great vessels lie
directly ANTERIOR to the vertebral column and beside each other
The first part of the small intestine.
Duodenum
Most of this part of the small intestine is deeply place on the posterior abdominal wall.
Duodenum
The Duodenum is a C-shaped tube that extends from
the stomach, around the head of the pancreas to join to the jejunum.
About halfway down the duodenum, the small intestine receives
the bile and the pancreatic ducts
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.
Pancreas
Each kidney gives rise to a ureter that runs vertically downward on top of the _____
psoas muscle.
The ___ extends upward from the cecum to the inferior surface of the right lobe of the liver, occupying the right lower and upper quadrants.
Ascending colon
Upon reaching the liver, the ascending colon bends to the left, forming the
right colic hepatic flexure
The _____ extends from the left colic flexure to the pelvis below. It occupies the left upper and lower quadrants
Descending Colon
Two reddish brown organs situated high up on the posterior abdominal wall, one on each side of the vertebral column.
Kidneys
Which kidney lies slightly lower than the other?
Right; because the liver is pushing it down
This is a long tubular structure that connects the pharynx to the stomach
Esophagus
Under certain peritoneal conditions such as peritonities, the peritoneal cavity may be distended with abnormal fluid, ______
ascites
The _____ is shorter and smaller in caliber than the inferior vena cava.
abdominal aorta
The _____ arises about 4 cm superior to the aortic bifurcation and crosses the left common iliac vessels to become the superior rectal artery.
inferior mesenteric artery
The ____ drains the left testis, left suprarenal gland and the left kidney.
left renal vein
The renal arteries are ____ to the renal veins
posterior
The ____ crosses the external iliac artery just beyond the common iliac bifurcation
ureter
The ______ cross anterior to the ureter and join the ductus deferens at the deep inguinal ring.
testicular vessels
The ______ and the ______ pass between the aorta posteriorly and the superior mesenteric artery anteriorly.
left renal vein; duodenum
_____ of the kidneys is an important cause of renal failure.
Adult polycistic disease
_____ (multiple or solitary) are common and usually benign findings during ultrasound examinations and dissection of cadavers.
Cysts in the kidney
The superior pole of the kidney is closer to the _____ than the inferior pole.
median plane
The ____ is a vertical “pocket” opening on the medial side of the kidney
renal sinus
Tucked into the pocket, the renal sinus, are the ____ and ____ in a matrix of perinephric fat
Renal Pelvis and Renal Vessels
The ____ is the funcional unit of the kidney consisting of a renal corpuscle, proximal tubule, nephron loop, and distal tubule.
nephron
