Anatomy: Peritoneal and Retroperitoneal Organs

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Questions and Answers

What is the function of the diaphragm in assisting with forced expiration?

Supporting and protecting the abdominal wall

Contracting to increase intra-abdominal pressure (correct)

Creating negative pressure to push air out of the lungs

Accommodating abdominal viscera during exhalation

What is the role of the transversalis fascia in the abdominal wall?

Supporting the pelvic floor

Assisting in lung expansion

Continuing to the diaphragm and iliac muscle (correct)

Anchoring the ribcage

How does the superior epigastric artery contribute to the anterior abdominal wall?

Branches from the internal iliac artery

Supplies the lower part of the anterior abdominal wall

Irrigates the upper central part of the anterior abdominal wall (correct)

Anastomoses with the external iliac artery

What is the main function of extraperitoneal fascia in the abdominal wall?

Provides a layer between the peritoneum and transversalis fascia Signup and view all the answers

In which situation does the diaphragm relax to assist with abdominal viscera accommodation?

In micturition Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the inferior epigastric artery in the abdominal wall?

Anastomoses with the superior epigastric artery Signup and view all the answers

The transtubercular plane joins the tubercles of which structure of the body?

Iliac crest Signup and view all the answers

Which region of the abdomen lies below the right hypochondrium?

Right iliac fossa (groin) Signup and view all the answers

The hip bones articulate with the sacrum at which joints?

Sacroiliac joints Signup and view all the answers

Which bones fuse together at puberty to form one large irregular bone?

Ilium, ischium, and pubis Signup and view all the answers

Which region of the abdomen is also known as the pubic region?

Hypogastrium Signup and view all the answers

The acetabulum is located on which surface of the hip bone?

Outer surface Signup and view all the answers

Which organ is an example of retroperitoneal viscera according to the text?

Pancreas Signup and view all the answers

What connects the greater curvature of the stomach to the transverse colon?

Greater omentum Signup and view all the answers

Which ligament connects the liver to the diaphragm?

Coronary ligament Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of peritoneal ligaments, omenta, and mesenteries?

To connect solid viscera to the abdominal walls Signup and view all the answers

To which organ does the lesser omentum connect the stomach?

Liver Signup and view all the answers

What kind of fold of peritoneum connects the stomach to another viscus?

Omenta Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the inguinal canal?

Allows structures of the spermatic cord to pass to and from the testis in males. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the superficial and deep rings in the inguinal canal?

They are the weakest areas in the canal. Signup and view all the answers

Which muscle reinforces the anterior wall of the inguinal canal just in front of the deep ring?

Internal oblique Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the arching lowest fibers of the internal oblique and transversus abdominis muscles during coughing and straining?

They contract, flattening the arched roof. Signup and view all the answers

In what situations can the contents of the inguinal canal be compressed against the floor?

During micturition, defecation, and parturition Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to understand the design of the inguinal canal and its sites of weakness?

To prevent hernias Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of the duodenal recesses close to the duodenojejunal junction?

They include superior duodenal, inferior duodenal, paraduodenal, and retroduodenal recesses Signup and view all the answers

Where are the intersigmoid recess situated?

At the apex of the inverted V-shaped root of the sigmoid mesocolon Signup and view all the answers

Which spaces lie between the diaphragm and the liver?

The subphrenic spaces Signup and view all the answers

What is the nerve supply of the parietal peritoneum?

Sensitive to pain, temperature, touch, and pressure Signup and view all the answers

Why are the subphrenic spaces and the paracolic gutters clinically important?

Because they may collect and move infected peritoneal fluid Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of the cecal recesses close to the cecum?

They include superior ileocecal, inferior ileocecal, and retrocecal recesses Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Peritoneal Relations

Intra-peritoneal viscera: liver, gallbladder, urinary bladder, and uterus.
Retroperitoneal viscera: kidney, suprarenal gland, pancreas, descending and ascending colon, upper 1/3 of rectum, duodenum, aorta, and I.V.C.

Peritoneal Ligaments

Two-layered folds of peritoneum connecting solid viscera to the abdominal walls.
Examples: falciform ligament, coronary ligament, right and left triangular ligaments (connecting the liver to the diaphragm).

Omenta

Two-layered folds of peritoneum connecting the stomach to another viscus.
Greater omentum: connects the greater curvature of the stomach to the transverse colon.
Lesser omentum: suspends the lesser curvature of the stomach to the liver.
Gastrosplenic omentum: connects the stomach to the hilum of the spleen.

Mesenteries

Two-layered folds of peritoneum connecting parts of the intestines to the posterior abdominal wall.
Examples: transverse mesocolon, sigmoid mesocolon.

Peritoneal Recesses, Spaces, and Gutters

Duodenal recesses: four small pocket-like pouches of peritoneum close to the duodenojejunal junction.
Cecal recesses: three peritoneal recesses close to the cecum.
Intersigmoid recess: situated at the apex of the inverted, V-shaped root of the sigmoid mesocolon.
Subphrenic spaces: right and left anterior subphrenic spaces, right posterior subphrenic space, and right extraperitoneal space.
Paracolic gutters: on the lateral and medial sides of the ascending and descending colons.

Nerve Supply of the Peritoneum

The parietal peritoneum is sensitive to pain, temperature, touch, and pressure.

Bony and Surface Landmarks of the Abdominal Wall

PELVIC BONE: it contains and protects the lower abdomen and pelvic viscera and provides attachment for trunk and lower limb muscles.
Hip Bone: composed of ilium, ischium, and pubis bones, which fuse together at puberty.

Innervation and Functions of the Abdominal Wall Muscles

Abdominal muscles assist the diaphragm during inspiration and expiration.
They support and protect the abdominal viscera.
They help in micturition, defecation, vomiting, and parturition.

Fascia of the Abdominal Wall

Transversalis fascia: a thin layer of fascia that lines the transversus abdominis muscle.
Extraperitoneal fascia: a thin layer of connective tissue and adipose tissue between the peritoneum and transversalis fascia.

Arteries of the Anterior Abdominal Wall

Superior epigastric artery: supplies the upper central part of the anterior abdominal wall.
Inferior epigastric artery: a branch of the external iliac artery that anastomoses with the superior epigastric artery.

Inguinal Canal

Function: allows structures of the spermatic cord to pass to and from the testis to the abdomen in males, and permits the passage of the round ligament of the uterus in females.
Mechanics: potential site of weakness, reinforced by the internal oblique muscle and conjoint tendon.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the location and characteristics of peritoneal and retroperitoneal organs in the human body. Learn about the organs that are covered by peritoneum and those that lie behind it on the posterior abdominal wall.