chapter 31: abd & gi trauma

flank

region below the ribcage and above the hip

guarding

involuntary muscle contractions of the abd wall to minimize pain of abd movement, sign of peritonitis

hollow rogans

structures in which materials pass through, stomch, small intestines, large intestines, ureters, urinary bladder

melena

balck, foul smelling, tarry stool containing digested blood

peritoneal cavity

abd cavity

peritoneum

membrane lining the abd cavity (parietal peritoneum and covering the abd organs(visceral peritoneum)

retroperitoneum

the potential space located posterior to the peritoneal cavity of the abd

solid organs

solid masses of tissue where much of the chemical work of the body takes place (liver, spleen, pancreas, kidneys)