The Viscera Flashcards
What is the peritoneal cavity?
A potential space between parietal and visceral layers of the peritoneum
-organs begin development at the posterior aspect of the abdominal cavity and grow into the peritoneal cavity
-as the organs grow into the abdominal cavity, the visceral layers will oppose one another and that is part of the periotoneal formations
-made up of the greater and lesser sacs
What is the peritoneal cavity filled with?
serous fluid- a clear to pale yellow watery fluid that is found in the body especially in the spaces between organs and the membranes which line or enclose them
Location of the lesser sac of the peritoneal cavity
posterior to the stomach and anterior to the pancreas
lesser sac
omental bursa
diverticulum- an extension of another cavity that pushed its way outside of the main cavity
**potential location for collection of blood, abscesses, other pathologies
greater sac
the main abdominal cavity
bulk of the abdominal cavity
what is the mesentary?
opposing visceral layers coming off the organ; the layers extend posteriorly to the posterior abdominal wall
double layer of peritoneum that provides a conduit for neurovascular supply between the organ and the body wall; from the posterior abdominal wall to the organ
Mesenteries are double layers of peritoneum in the abdominal cavity and are continuations of the visceral and parietal peritoneum with the serous membranes adhered back to back so that the outer mesothelium secretes serous fluid into the peritoneal cavity.
Intraperitoneal viscera
enclosed by visceral peritoneum
suspended by mesenteries- double layer of peritoneum
Definition of primarily retroperitoneal
organs that developed posterior to the periotneal cavity; no need for mesentary
Examples of primarily retroperitoneal organs
kidneys
suprarenal glands
Definition of secondarily retroperitoneal
develops inside the peritoneal cavity early in development then becomes retroperitoneal
ex: ascending and descending colon fuse to the posterior abdominal wall
Why are secondarily retroperitoneal organs called paracolic gutters?
They are common infection sites
Examples of secondarily retroperitoneal viscera:
duodenum (descending, horizontal, ascending), colon (ascending, descending), pancreas, rectum (upper 2/3)
What is omenta?
The fused peritoneal folds that connect the stomach and duodenum with other abdominal organs.
a large flat adipose tissue layer nestling on the surface of the intra-peritoneal organs. Besides fat storage, omentum has key biological functions in immune-regulation and tissue regeneration
Greater omentum
Attached to the greater curvature of the stomach and the transverse colon
Policeman of the abdomen - protects other organs from inflamed or diseased organs
gastrophrenic ligament
gastrosplenic ligament
gastrocolic ligament
-covers the small intestine
- named based on the curvature of the stomach they extend from
Lesser omentum
Attached to the lesser curvature of the stomach and the liver
hepatogastric ligament
hepatoduodenal ligament
Falciform ligament
from the liver to the posterior surface of the anterior abdominal wall; runs anterior to posterior
union of the visceral peritoneum
Inferiorly encloses the round ligament of the liver
What is the primary funciton of the abdominal viscera?
digestion
What viscera are in the area of the lower thoracic cage?
stomach
liver
spleen
Order the components of the digestive system from oral cavity to anus?
oral cavity
pharynx
esophagus
stomach
*liver, gallbladder, pancreas
small intestine
large intestine
rectum
anus
Food moves from palate–> oropharynx–> _______
laryngopharynx
Function of esophagus
transports food to the stomach
helps warm or cool food
can expand significantly
thick muscular walls–> peristalsis
muscular walls transition from skeletal to smooth muscle (voluntary at top, involuntary at bottom): upper 1/3 skeletal, middle 1/3 smooth+ skeletal, lower 1/3 smooth muscle
What is the muscular coat of the esophagus a combination of and what are these muscles innervated by?
longitudinal muscle
circular muscle
R and L VAGUS NN.
upper portion- recurrent laryngeal nerve (branch of the vagus nerve)
below lung roots- esophageal plexus with posterior vagal trunk branching off
*also sympathetic innervation (T1-4) and parasympathetic
Stomach functions:
LUQ, RUQ
-has lesser curve more superior and greater curve more inferior
-stores food
-HCl disinfects the foot and denatures proteins
-HCl activates the protease pepsin–> breaks down proteins into polypeptides
-produces chyme that is released in peristaltic spurts into the duodenum
What are the orientations of the muscular layers of the stomach?
outer longitudinal
middle circular
inner oblique
**all help with peristaltic motion
Purpose of the longitudinal rugal folds of the stomach:
increases surface area for release of HCl acid +pepsin and allows for expansion of stomach after a large meal
Cardia of stomach:
The part of the stomach that is closest to the esophagus. Food and liquids pass through the cardia to enter the stomach from the esophagus.
Function of the small intestine and quadrants:
ALL 4 QUADRANTS
enzymatic digestion of food
absorption of nutirents
parts:
-duodenum (connected to stomach)–> RUQ, LUQ –> CREATES A C SHAPE BEFORE BECOMING JEJUNUM
-jejunum
-ileum
Function of plicae circulares of the duodenum:
The lining of the small intestine consists of a series of permanent spiral or circular folds, termed the plicae circulares, which amplify the organ’s surface area, promoting efficient nutrient absorption.
- IMPROVE ABSORPTION
The function of the liver:
RUQ
-receives blood from the digestive system
-detoxifies and removes debris
-stores glucose as glycogen
-produces plasma proteins
exchanges metabolites with blood
produces bile
STRUCTURE+ LOCATION
-just inferior to the diaphragm
-4 LOBES: left, right, caudate, quadrate
-right lobe bigger than left
-gallbladder sits just inferior to the right lobe
Coronary ligament and relation to the falciform ligament (liver):
Extension of the visceral peritoneum that is adhering the liver to the bottom of the diaphragm
coronary ligament extends and transitions into the right and left triangular ligament too
What are the lobes of the liver that can be seen from a posterior view?
caudate lobe
quadrate lobe (close to gallbladder)
What are the lobes of the liver that can be seen from a posterior view?
caudate lobe
quadrate lobe
Blood supply and venous drainage of the liver:
VEINS
hepatic portal vein
ARTERIES
hepatic artery proper
What part of the duodenum is intraperitoneal and what part is secondarily retroperitoneal?
superior part- intraperitoneal
descending, horizontal, ascending- all secondarily retroperitoneal
Intraperitoneal organs:
-duodenum: superior part
-stomach
-jejunum
-ileum
-cecum, appendix
-colon: transverse, sigmoid
-liver, gallbladder
-spleen
