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Gastrointestinal / nutritional
26 entries across 3 regions · 122 questions
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Thorax
- DiaphragmHY MuscleDome-shaped musculotendinous partition between the thorax and abdomen. It is the main muscle of inspiration and is supplied by the phrenic nerves (C3–C5).
- EsophagusHY OrganMuscular tube from the pharynx (C6) through the posterior mediastinum to the stomach (T11). Its constrictions, portosystemic anastomosis and relations explain many board classics.
Abdomen
- Anterior abdominal wallHY Space / regionLayered 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.
- Celiac trunkHY ArteryShort 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.
- ColonHY OrganLarge 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.
- DuodenumHY OrganC-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 treeHY OrganPear-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 OrganFatty, 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.
- Hepatic portal veinHY VeinCarries 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 epigastric arteryHY ArteryBranch 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 arteryHY ArteryArtery 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.
- Inguinal canalHY Space / regionOblique 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 triangleHY Space / regionArea of the lower anterior abdominal wall, seen from inside, where direct inguinal hernias push through a weak transversalis fascia.
- Lesser sac Space / regionPart 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.
- LiverHY OrganLargest 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.
- PancreasHY OrganMostly 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.
- Peritoneal cavityHY Space / regionPotential 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.
- Rectus abdominis MuscleLong 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.
- Small intestine (jejunum and ileum)HY OrganCoiled 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.
- StomachHY OrganJ-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.
- Superior mesenteric arteryHY ArteryArtery 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.
- Vermiform appendixHY OrganBlind-ending tube arising from the cecum where the teniae coli converge. Acute appendicitis is the most common abdominal surgical emergency.
Pelvis & Perineum
- Anal canalHY OrganTerminal 3–4 cm of the gut, surrounded by the internal and external anal sphincters. The pectinate line divides it into two halves with different blood supply, lymph drainage, nerves and diseases.
- Ischioanal fossa Space / regionPaired fat-filled wedge-shaped spaces on either side of the anal canal. The pudendal canal lies in their lateral wall, and anorectal abscesses spread through them, sometimes in a horseshoe pattern.
- Rectouterine pouchHY Space / regionDeepest recess of the female peritoneal cavity, between the uterus and rectum. Blood, pus and ascites collect here; the male equivalent is the rectovesical pouch.
- RectumHY OrganFinal part of the large intestine, from the rectosigmoid junction at S3 to the anorectal junction at the puborectalis sling. Rectal cancer staging and treatment depend on its peritoneal relations and pelvic surroundings.