Human Anatomy Quiz: Fascia and Ureters

The sternocleidomastoid muscle defines the posterior triangle of the neck, which is bounded by the sternocleidomastoid, trapezius, and clavicle. The anterior triangle is defined by the sternocleidomastoid, mandible, and midline.

A thin, sheet-like muscle located beneath the subcutaneous fat in the anterior region of the neck. It spreads subcutaneously and is pierced by cutaneous nerves.

The platysma is supplied by branches of the facial nerve, also known as cranial nerve VII.

The layer of subcutaneous fat under the skin of the neck. It varies in thickness depending on the individual and location on the neck.

The neck is divided into different regions for anatomical and clinical purposes. These are the anterior, posterior, and lateral regions.

A strong, fibrous sheet that surrounds and supports the muscles and organs of the neck. It extends from the base of the skull to the upper thorax, and encases the vertebral column, prevertebral muscles, and the major blood vessels and nerves of the neck.

The fibrous sheet of deep cervical fascia that surrounds the thyroid gland, trachea, and esophagus. It is attached to the upper trachea and the cricoid and thyroid cartilages.

A thick layer of deep cervical fascia that encases the carotid artery, jugular vein, and vagus nerve in the neck. It is continuous with the prevertebral fascia and extends into the chest as the axillary sheath.

The arrangement of muscles and fascial layers within the neck creates compartments, each containing different structures. These compartments help to segregate and protect the various structures and facilitate their movement.

The ansa cervicalis is a loop of nerves that arises from the cervical plexus and supplies the infrahyoid muscles of the neck. These muscles are responsible for lowering the larynx and hyoid bone during swallowing.

The right primary bronchus is wider and shorter than the left primary bronchus.

Each lung is enclosed within a serous membrane called the pleural sac.

A thin layer of fluid that lubricates the pleural surfaces, allowing the lungs to expand and contract during breathing.

The outer layer of the pleural sac that lines the thoracic cavity. It has four parts: costal, mediastinal, diaphragmatic, and cervical.

The inner layer of the pleural sac that directly adheres to the lung surface. It folds back at the hilum of the lung.

The uppermost part of the lung.

The broad, lower portion of the lung that rests on the diaphragm.

The branching divisions within the lungs that carry air from the trachea to the alveoli.

A muscular sphincter that controls the flow of chyme (partially digested food) from the stomach into the duodenum. It regulates the rate of gastric emptying.

The process where the pyloric sphincter becomes abnormally tight, hindering the passage of chyme from the stomach into the duodenum, causing a blockage.

The narrowing or constriction of the pyloric sphincter due to a physical obstruction, often caused by a tumor or scar tissue.

A mixture of partially digested food, gastric juices, and saliva that is formed within the stomach and transported to the duodenum for further digestion.

A strong acid secreted by the stomach that helps kill bacteria, denature proteins and activate pepsin.

An enzyme found in gastric juice that begins the digestion of proteins.

A protein produced by the stomach that helps in the absorption of vitamin B12 in the small intestine.

An enzyme in gastric juice that aids in mild digestion of fats, but its primary role is in breaking down proteins.

During embryonic development, the inferior fusion of kidney poles prevents their normal ascent. This process is hindered by the superior mesenteric artery.

Ureters are tubes that transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder. They have three natural constrictions along their length: where they join the renal pelvis, where they cross the pelvic inlet, and where they enter the bladder wall. These constrictions are significant because they are potential sites for obstruction and stone formation.

The parotid gland secretes saliva into the vestibule of the mouth. It contains amylase, an enzyme that breaks down starch into glucose and oligosaccharides.

The pharynx, connecting the mouth and esophagus, is a passageway for food and air. It has no digestive or absorptive functions. It is crucial for swallowing due to its three constrictors and the epiglottis which prevents food from entering the trachea.

The chorda tympani is a branch of the facial nerve that originates from taste buds on the front of the tongue. It carries taste signals to the brain.

The opening of the pharyngotympanic (Eustachian) tube connects the nasopharynx to the middle ear. This tube equalizes pressure in the middle ear, but also acts as a possible pathway for infections. Inflammation of the middle ear can lead to otitis media (ear pain and fever).

The stomach is an organ responsible for mechanical and chemical digestion. It mixes and churns food into chyme, and secretes gastric juices including hydrochloric acid, pepsinogen, and intrinsic factor, which aid in digestion.

The anterior wall of the pharynx plays a critical role in swallowing. It is involved in the complex process of deglutition, which moves food from the mouth to the esophagus.

The mesentery is a continuous fold of peritoneum that attaches the small intestine to the posterior abdominal wall. It helps to support the small intestine and allows it to move freely in the abdominal cavity.

The jejunum is the middle part of the small intestine, characterized by its larger diameter, thicker walls, and more prominent plicae circulares. It is responsible for the majority of nutrient absorption.

The ileum is the final section of the small intestine, smaller in diameter with thinner walls and less prominent plicae circulares. It absorbs bile salts and Vitamin B12.

The large intestine is the final part of the digestive system, responsible for absorbing water and forming feces. It consists of the caecum, appendix, ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, sigmoid colon, rectum, and anal canal.

The caecum is a pouch-like structure at the beginning of the large intestine where the ileum joins. It houses bacteria that aid in the digestion of indigestible food.

The appendix is a small finger-like projection extending from the caecum, containing lymphoid tissue, which plays a role in immune defense.

The ascending colon is the first part of the large intestine, traveling upwards on the right side of the abdominal cavity.

The transverse colon is the second part of the large intestine, traveling across the abdominal cavity from right to left.

The entire thyroid gland is enveloped in a further layer of deep cervical fascia termed the pretracheal fascia. It adheres firmly to the front of the upper trachea behind the isthmus, and to the sides of the cricoid and thyroid cartilages.

The prevertebral fascia passes across the vertebrae and prevertebral muscles behind the esophagus, the pharynx, and the great vessels. Above, it attaches to the base of the skull. Laterally, the fascia covers the scalene muscles, the phrenic nerve, and the emerging brachial plexus and subclavian artery.

These structures carry with them a sheath formed from the prevertebral fascia, which becomes the axillary sheath.

The three splanchnic nerves arise from the thoracic sympathetic trunk and pass posterior to the diaphragm to supply the abdominal viscera. The greater splanchnic nerve consists of fibers from T5-T9, the lesser splanchnic nerve consists of fibers from T10-T11, and the least splanchnic nerve consists of fibers from T12.

The diaphragmatic openings are crucial for the passage of vital structures. The inferior vena cava passes through the diaphragm at the level of T8, the esophagus at T10, and the aorta at T12.

The kidneys are the primary filtration organs of the body. They have three distinct regions: the cortex (outermost), medulla (middle), and pelvis (innermost). The renal pyramids are conical structures within the medulla that drain into the calyces, which then drain into the renal pelvis. Each renal lobe is composed of a renal pyramid and the surrounding renal cortex.

A horseshoe kidney is a congenital anomaly where the two developing kidneys fuse in the lower abdomen. This happens when the kidneys become too close together during their ascension from the pelvis and get 'stuck' under the inferior mesenteric artery.

In a nephron, the glomerulus with its capsule is known as the renal corpuscle, which initiates filtration. The proximal convoluted tubule begins reabsorption of water, glucose, and amino acids. The loop of Henle, with its descending and ascending limbs, further regulates water and solute balance. The distal convoluted tubule contributes to reabsorption and secretion. The collecting duct receives filtrate from multiple nephrons. The filtrate flows through the kidney, undergoing filtration, reabsorption, and secretion, eventually becoming urine.

The superior mesenteric artery plays a role in kidney development. During embryological development, the kidneys ascend from the pelvis to their final position in the abdomen. The inferior mesenteric artery can prevent this normal ascension if the kidneys fuse during development, resulting in a horseshoe kidney.

The superior mesenteric artery, located in the abdominal cavity, obstructs the natural upward movement of the kidneys during embryonic development, leading to their inferior fusion.

Ureters, which transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder, have three natural constrictions: at the junction of the renal pelvis, where they cross the pelvic inlet, and when they enter the bladder wall. These constrictions are important because they can be points of obstruction or stone formation.

The parotid glands, located near the ears, secrete saliva containing amylase. This enzyme breaks down starch into glucose and oligosaccharides, initiating the chemical digestion of carbohydrates.

The pharynx connects the mouth to the esophagus. It acts as a passageway for food and air and is critical for swallowing. However, it does not perform any digestion or absorption.

The Eustachian (pharyngotympanic) tube connects the nasopharynx to the middle ear. It allows for equalization of pressure in the middle ear and can be a pathway for infections. Middle ear inflammation can cause otitis media (ear pain).

The anterior wall of the pharynx, responsible for swallowing, contracts and expands to deliver food from the mouth to the esophagus. It plays a vital role in the coordinated process of deglutition.

The Falciform ligament is a peritoneal fold that attaches the liver to the anterior abdominal wall. It helps to support the liver and provides a pathway for vessels and nerves.

The Ligamentum teres hepatis is a fibrous remnant of the umbilical vein, found within the free edge of the Falciform ligament. It helps to anchor the liver to the abdominal wall.

The Coronary ligament is a peritoneal fold that surrounds the liver, attaching it to the diaphragm. It helps to support the liver and separates its visceral and diaphragmatic surfaces.

The right and left triangular ligaments are formed by the left and right ends of the coronary ligament, respectively. They help to anchor the liver to the diaphragm.

The Hepatogastric ligament is a peritoneal fold that connects the liver to the stomach, forming part of the lesser omentum. It helps to suspend the stomach and provides a passageway for vessels and nerves.

The Hepatoduodenal ligament is a peritoneal fold that connects the liver to the duodenum, forming part of the lesser omentum. It encloses the portal triad (portal vein, hepatic artery, and common bile duct).

The Ligamentum venosum is a fibrous remnant of the ductus venosus, a fetal blood vessel that shunted blood from the umbilical vein to the inferior vena cava. It is located on the visceral surface of the liver, between the inferior vena cava and the left lobe.

The spleen is a lymphatic organ located in the upper left quadrant of the abdomen. It plays a role in filtering blood, storing red blood cells, and producing lymphocytes.

A condition where the blood flow through the portal vein to the liver is reduced or blocked, often due to liver disease or a tumor. This can cause blood to back up in the veins of the digestive system, leading to swelling and even bleeding.

Abnormal dilations of veins, typically in the esophagus, which can occur with portal hypertension. These veins are fragile and susceptible to bleeding.

The muscular tube connecting the pharynx to the stomach. It is a passageway for food and fluids, and is responsible for peristaltic contractions that propel food downward.

Inflammation of the lining of the stomach, often caused by bacteria, alcohol, or certain medications. Symptoms include pain, nausea, and vomiting.

A small, finger-shaped pouch connected to the caecum in the large intestine. It plays a role in the immune system by housing beneficial bacteria.

A condition characterized by the presence of small, abnormal outgrowths (polyps) in the lining of the colon. Some polyps are benign, while others can be precancerous.

A condition where a part of the intestine twists upon itself, cutting off blood flow and leading to blockage. This can be life-threatening.

Swollen and inflamed veins in the anal canal, often caused by straining during bowel movements. They can be internal or external.

The jejunum is the middle section of the small intestine, characterized by its larger diameter, thicker walls, and prominent plicae circulares. It is responsible for the majority of nutrient absorption.

The ileum is the last section of the small intestine, smaller in diameter with thinner walls and less prominent plicae circulares. It absorbs bile salts and Vitamin B12.

The large intestine is the final part of the digestive system, responsible for absorbing water and forming feces. It consists of the caecum, appendix, ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, sigmoid colon, rectum, and anal canal.