Anatomy Flashcards: SAD PUCKER

Anatomy of Retroperitoneal and Intraperitoneal Organs

• SAD PUCKER is an acronym to remember which organs are retroperitoneal: Suprarenal glands, Aorta & inferior vena cava, Duodenum (parts 2, 3, 4), Pancreas (head & body), Ureters, Colon (ascending and descending), Esophagus (lower 1/3), Rectum (partially).
• Retroperitoneal organs are located behind the peritoneum and primarily have an adventitia layer.

Serosa vs Adventitia

• Intraperitoneal organs are covered with serosa, which is a smooth membrane that allows for organ movement.
• Retroperitoneal organs have an adventitia, a fibrous tissue layer that anchors them to surrounding structures.

Specific Organs and Their Locations

• Suprarenal Glands: Located retroperitoneally.
• Aorta and Inferior Vena Cava: Both are retroperitoneal structures.
• Duodenum: Parts 2, 3, and 4 are retroperitoneal, while the first part is intraperitoneal.
• Pancreas: The head and body are retroperitoneal; the tail is intraperitoneal.
• Ureters: Positioned retroperitoneally.
• Colon: The ascending and descending portions are retroperitoneal; transverse and sigmoid portions are intraperitoneal.
• Esophagus: The upper two-thirds are intraperitoneal, whereas the lower one-third is retroperitoneal.
• Rectum: Only part of the rectum is retroperitoneal.

Summary of Organ Associations

• Intraperitoneal: First part of the duodenum, tail of the pancreas, transverse and sigmoid colon, upper two-thirds of the esophagus.
• Retroperitoneal: Suprarenal glands, aorta, inferior vena cava, duodenum (parts 2, 3, 4), pancreas (head and body), ureters, ascending and descending colon, lower one-third of the esophagus, partially the rectum.
• Not all of the rectum is retroperitoneal; only a portion.