Chapter 16: Gastrointestinal and Urologic Anatomy & Physiology

Colon function

Absorbs water, salts, and vitamins from indigestible food waste, compacting it into feces for elimination.

Gallbladder function

Stores and concentrates bile from the liver, releasing it into the small intestine to aid fat digestion.

Hollow Organs

Stomach, gallbladder, duodenum, large/small intestines, and urinary bladder; structures containing substances that, if perforated, leak and contaminate the cavity, posing a massive risk of peritonitis.

Kidney function

Filters blood to remove waste products and excess fluid as urine.

Liver function

Secretes bile to break down fats, processes nutrients, filters toxins/drugs, and produces clotting factors.

LLQ (Left Lower Quadrant)

Contains the descending/sigmoid colon, and female ovary.

LUQ (Left Upper Quadrant)

Contains the stomach, spleen, tail of the pancreas, and left kidney.

Ovary function

Produces and releases female eggs and secretes key reproductive hormones like estrogen and progesterone.

Pancreas function

Produces digestive enzymes (amylase, lipase, protease) and releases hormones (insulin and glucagon) to regulate blood sugar.

Parietal Peritoneum

The layer of the peritoneum lining the abdominal wall; supplied by the same somatic nerves as the skin, allowing for sharp, easily localized pain.

RLQ (Right Lower Quadrant)

Contains the appendix, ascending colon, and female ovary.

RUQ (Right Upper Quadrant)

Contains the liver, gallbladder, head of the pancreas, and right kidney.

Solid Organs

Liver, spleen, pancreas, kidneys, and ovaries; highly vascular structures where injury or trauma poses a severe risk of internal hemorrhage and rapid shock.

Spleen function

Filters blood to recycle old red blood cells and stores white blood cells and platelets to support the immune system.

Stomach function

Stores food, physically churns it.

Visceral Peritoneum

The layer of the peritoneum covering the abdominal organs; supplied by the autonomic nervous system, stimulated by stretch, resulting in a dull, deep, and poorly localized pain.