Small Intestine Flashcards
How long is the small intestine?
7 meters
Where does absorption of nutrients occur almost entirely?
Small intestine
What does the large intestine mainly absorb?
Water
What is the duodenum?
C-shaped tube that surrounds the head of the pancreas
How long is the duodenum?
25 centimeters
What is the shortest and widest part of the small intestine?
Duodenum
What part of the duodenum runs to the right?
Superior (first) part
What is the beginning of the superior part of the duodenum called?
Duodenal cap (ampulla)
Why is the duodenal cap (ampulla) radiogically significant?
Trappage of gas occurs here and is visible on x-ray
What part of the duodenum contains the junction of the foregut and midgut where the bile duct and pancreatic duct empty?
Descending (second) part
What is the longest part of the duodenum that runs to the left, anterior to the inferior vena cava, and vertebral column?
Inferior or horizontal (third) part
What part of the duodenum ascends to the left of the aorta and terminates at the duodenojejunal flexure?
Ascending (fourth) part
What is significant about the distal end of the four part of the duodenum?
Can also be intraperitoneal
What is the fibromuscular band which extends from the diaphragm to the duodenojejunal flexure called?
Suspensory muscle (ligament) of the duodenum
The duodenum is entirely retroperitoneal except what part?
Duodenal cap (freely moveable)
What vessels pass anterior to the third part of the duodenum?
Superior mesenteric artery and vein
What is the blood supply to the duodenum?
Superior pancreaticoduodenal, supraduodenal, and inferior pancreaticoduodenal arteries
The superior pancreaticoduodenal artery is a branch from where?
Gastroduodenal artery
The supraduodenal artery is a branch from where?
Gastroduodenal artery
The inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery is a branch from where?
Superior mesenteric artery
What does the inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery specifically supply?
Third and fourth parts of the duodenum
What is the innervation of the duodenum?
Autonomic fibers from the celiac and superior mesenteric plexuses
What is a duodenal ulcer?
Mucosa in the duodenum is eroded to form a crater-like depression
Where are duodenal ulcer most commonly found and why?
In the duodenal cap due to its proximity to the pyloric sphincter, which is the most acidic area
What other organs can be damaged by a perforated duodenal ulcer due to their proximity?
Liver, pancreas, and gall bladder
What is a perforated duodenal ulcer?
When the contents escape into the peritoneal cavity causing peritonitis
What is the pathway for fluid traveling with a perforated duodenal ulcer?
Subhepatic recess to the right paracolic gutter to the right iliac fossa