Abdomen
Anterior abdominal wall, inguinal region, peritoneum, GI viscera, the portal system, kidneys, and posterior abdominal wall.
29 entriesAbdominal wall: 2Inguinal region: 4Peritoneum: 3GI viscera: 5Accessory organs: 5Kidneys & suprarenals: 3Posterior abdominal wall: 7
Muscles (2)
- Psoas major Long muscle beside the lumbar spine that joins iliacus to flex the hip. The lumbar plexus forms within it, and the psoas sign reflects inflammation of structures lying on it.
- Rectus abdominis Long strap muscle on either side of the linea alba, enclosed in the rectus sheath. It flexes the trunk, and hematoma in its sheath is a classic complication of anticoagulation.
Nerves (1)
Arteries (5)
- Abdominal aorta HYContinuation of the thoracic aorta from the aortic hiatus (T12) to its bifurcation at L4. It supplies the abdominal organs and is the usual site of aortic aneurysm.
- Celiac trunk HYShort anterior branch of the abdominal aorta at T12 and the artery of the foregut. It divides into the left gastric, splenic and common hepatic arteries.
- Inferior epigastric artery HYBranch of the external iliac artery that ascends into the rectus sheath. It's the landmark separating indirect from direct inguinal hernias and must be avoided during paracentesis and laparoscopic port placement.
- Inferior mesenteric artery HYArtery of the hindgut, arising from the aorta at L3. It supplies the distal transverse colon to the upper rectum, and its ligation during aortic surgery puts the watershed colon at risk.
- Superior mesenteric artery HYArtery of the midgut, arising from the aorta at L1 behind the pancreas. Its occlusion causes acute mesenteric ischemia, and its angle with the aorta explains SMA and nutcracker syndromes.
Veins (2)
- Hepatic portal vein HYCarries nutrient-rich venous blood from the GI tract, spleen and pancreas to the liver. In portal hypertension its anastomoses with systemic veins cause varices, caput medusae and rectal varices.
- Inferior vena cava HYLargest vein of the body, returning blood from below the diaphragm to the right atrium. It lies to the right of the aorta, passes through the diaphragm at T8, and is compressed by the gravid uterus in the supine position.
Organs (14)
- Colon HYLarge intestine from the cecum to the sigmoid colon, supplied by the SMA (midgut) and IMA (hindgut). Diverticulitis, colorectal cancer, volvulus and ischemic colitis are the high-yield problems.
- Duodenum HYC-shaped first part of the small intestine wrapped around the head of the pancreas. It receives bile and pancreatic juice at the major duodenal papilla and is the most common site of peptic ulcers.
- Gallbladder and biliary tree HYPear-shaped sac under the liver that stores and concentrates bile, with the extrahepatic bile ducts. Gallstone disease (biliary colic, cholecystitis, choledocholithiasis, cholangitis) is one of the most tested topics.
- Greater omentum Fatty, apron-like peritoneal fold hanging from the greater curvature of the stomach. It limits the spread of infection and is a common site of peritoneal metastases.
- Kidney HYPaired retroperitoneal organs at T12–L3, with the right kidney slightly lower than the left. Stones, pyelonephritis, renal cell carcinoma and trauma are the key clinical problems.
- Liver HYLargest gland in the body, in the right upper quadrant. It has a dual blood supply (portal vein and hepatic artery) and is divided into eight functional segments; cirrhosis and portal hypertension are its central clinical problems.
- Pancreas HYMostly retroperitoneal gland lying across the posterior abdominal wall, with its head in the duodenal C-loop. Acute pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer are the key clinical problems.
- Small intestine (jejunum and ileum) HYCoiled intraperitoneal small bowel on a mesentery, supplied by the SMA. Small bowel obstruction, Meckel diverticulum, Crohn disease and mesenteric ischemia are its key clinical problems.
- Spermatic cord HYBundle of structures running between the deep inguinal ring and the testis. It carries the ductus deferens, testicular vessels and pampiniform plexus, and is involved in varicocele, torsion and inguinal hernia.
- Spleen HYIntraperitoneal lymphoid organ in the left upper quadrant under ribs 9–11. It is the organ most often injured in blunt abdominal trauma, and asplenia predisposes to infection with encapsulated bacteria.
- Stomach HYJ-shaped dilated foregut organ in the upper abdomen, supplied by all three branches of the celiac trunk. Peptic ulcers, gastric cancer and pyloric stenosis are its key clinical problems.
- Suprarenal gland HYPaired retroperitoneal endocrine glands on the superomedial poles of the kidneys. The cortex makes steroids and the medulla makes catecholamines; pheochromocytoma, Cushing, Conn and Addison are the classic disorders.
- Ureter HYMuscular tube carrying urine from the renal pelvis to the bladder. Its three narrow points are where stones lodge, and its pelvic course puts it at risk during gynecologic surgery.
- Vermiform appendix HYBlind-ending tube arising from the cecum where the teniae coli converge. Acute appendicitis is the most common abdominal surgical emergency.
Spaces & regions (5)
- Anterior abdominal wall HYLayered musculoaponeurotic wall from the costal margin to the pelvis. Its planes and regions are the map for describing abdominal pain, and it is the site of ventral hernias.
- Inguinal canal HYOblique passage through the lower anterior abdominal wall carrying the spermatic cord or round ligament. It's the site of indirect and direct inguinal hernias, the most common hernias overall.
- Inguinal triangle HYArea of the lower anterior abdominal wall, seen from inside, where direct inguinal hernias push through a weak transversalis fascia.
- Lesser sac Part of the peritoneal cavity behind the stomach, entered through the omental (epiploic) foramen. The hepatoduodenal ligament in front of that foramen is compressed in the Pringle maneuver.
- Peritoneal cavity HYPotential space between the parietal and visceral peritoneum. Its recesses are where fluid, blood and pus collect, which is the anatomic basis of the FAST exam.