Week 4 - Introduction to the Stomach Flashcards
What is the mechanism of action of NSAIDS/aspirin? Why are they not recommended for use in individuals with stomach ulceration?
Aspirin and NSAIDs block production of prostaglandins, as they inhibit cyclo-oxygenase, the enzyme that produces prostaglandins from arachidonic acid - used for treatment of fever.
Prostaglandins have an important role in the stomach in maintaining mucosal blood flow and supplying the epithelium with nutrients. Inhibiting prostaglandin production may exacerbate problems in the stomach.
What pharmacological interventions can be used to stop acid production in the stomach? Briefly outline the mechanism of action for each.
- Proton pump inhibitors: block the proton pump present in parietal cells
- H2 blockers: Block histamine receptors - histamine is a critical modulator of acid production
State examples of drugs for proton pump inhibitors and H2 blockers.
H2 blockers: cimetidine, ranitidine
Proton pump inhibitors: Omeprazole
State the direction in which the fibres of external oblique run.
Anteriorly and inferiorly
State 2 retroperitoneal blood vessels.
- Abdominal aorta
2. Inferior vena cava
Define pneumoperitoneum.
Air/gas in the peritoneal cavity
What are the causes of a pneumoperitoneum?
- Pathological
2. Laparoscopy: cavity inflated with CO2 so they can see what they are doing
Define visceral peritoneum
Part of peritoneum that envelops the intra-peritoneal organs - envelops the small bowel/liver
What is the greater omentum?
A fold of visceral peritoneum hanging down off the greater curve of the stomach
What is the lesser sac?
Part of the peritoneal cavity that lies behind the stomach
What is the foramen of Winslow (epiploic foramen)?
Communication between the greater and lesser sac
What is the recto-uterine pouch?
Pouch of Douglas
Extension of peritoneal cavity that lies between the rectum and uterus
What is the uterovesical pouch?
The extension of peritoneal cavity that lies between the uterus and bladder
What is the hepatorenal pouch?
The part of the peritoneal cavity that lies between the liver and right kidney - pouch of Morrison
What are the paracolic gutters? Why are they clinically important?
Part of the peritoneal cavity that lie lateral to the ascending and descending colon
In pathological states, they can transmit fluid
What are the attachments of the lesser omentum (fold of peritoneum)?
Liver to the lesser curve of the stomach and proximal duodenum
What is the gastrocolic ligament?
Peritoneal fold that extends between the transverse colon and the greater curve of the stomach
-Part of the greater omentum
What is the falciform ligament?
- Peritoneal fold that attaches to the anterior abdominal wall and liver
- In embryological terms: remnant of the ventral mesentery
What constitutes the mesentery of the small intestine?
The double fold of peritoneum that attached the small bowel (jejenum and ileum) to the posterior abdominal wall
What is the sigmoid mesocolon?
Fold of peritoneum that attaches the sigmoid colon to the posterior abdominal wall (sigmoid mesentery)
For what surgical procedure is a grid-iron (muscle-splitting) incision used?
Appendicectomy