Practical manual 4.2

What is the peritoneum?

A serous membrane lining the abdominopelvic cavity and covering abdominal organs.

What is the parietal peritoneum?

The layer lining the inner surface of the abdominopelvic wall.

What is the visceral peritoneum?

The layer covering the external surfaces of abdominal organs.

What is the peritoneal cavity?

The potential space between parietal and visceral peritoneum containing lubricating serous fluid.

What is a mesentery?

A double layer of peritoneum that suspends organs and carries blood vessels, nerves, and lymphatics.

What is the function of mesenteries?

To support organs and provide a pathway for vessels and nerves.

What does 'intraperitoneal' mean?

An organ suspended by mesentery and located within the peritoneal cavity.

What does 'retroperitoneal' mean?

An organ located behind the peritoneal cavity and firmly attached to the posterior abdominal wall.

What does 'infraperitoneal' mean?

An organ located below the peritoneal cavity.

Which organs are intraperitoneal?

Stomach, jejunum, ileum, transverse colon, sigmoid colon, liver, caecum (mostly), appendix.

Which organs are retroperitoneal?

Duodenum (most), pancreas, ascending colon, descending colon, kidneys.

Which organs are infraperitoneal?

Rectum, urinary bladder.

List the three main salivary glands.

Parotid, submandibular, sublingual.

Name two functions of the salivary glands.

Lubrication of food; secretion of enzymes for digestion (e.g., amylase).

What are tonsils?

Lymphoid tissue involved in immune defense at the entrance of the digestive and respiratory tracts.

Which part of the pharynx is a passageway for only air?

The nasopharynx.

What structures of the digestive system are connected via the oesophagus?

The pharynx and the stomach.

Where is the oesophagus located relative to the trachea?

Posterior to the trachea.

Where is the oesophagus located relative to the aorta?

It lies anterior to the descending aorta.

Which nutrients begin digestion in the stomach?

Proteins.

Does significant nutrient absorption occur in the stomach?

No, only minimal absorption occurs.

What is the ingested food in the stomach called?

Chyme.

Which parts of the peritoneum attach to the greater and lesser curvatures of the stomach?

Greater curvature → greater omentum; lesser curvature → lesser omentum.

Which quadrant is the stomach located in?

Primarily the left upper quadrant.

What is the function of the duodenum?

To receive chyme and mix it with bile and pancreatic enzymes for digestion.

What is the function of bile and pancreatic secretions?

Bile emulsifies fats; pancreatic enzymes digest fats, proteins, and carbohydrates.

Name two functions of the pancreas.

Endocrine: produces insulin and glucagon. Exocrine: produces digestive enzymes.

True or false: The pancreas is retroperitoneal.

True.

What is the function of bile?

To emulsify fats for digestion.

What delivers nutrient-rich blood to the liver?

The hepatic portal vein.

What is the origin of blood in the hepatic portal vein?

The gastrointestinal tract and spleen.

What is the origin of blood in the hepatic artery?

The systemic arterial circulation (branch of the celiac trunk).

How does blood differ between the hepatic portal vein and hepatic artery?

Portal vein blood is nutrient-rich but oxygen-poor; hepatic artery blood is oxygen-rich.

What ducts join to form the common bile duct?

The common hepatic duct and the cystic duct.

What is the function of the gallbladder?

To store and concentrate bile.

What is the function of the urinary system?

To filter blood, remove waste, regulate fluid and electrolyte balance, and produce urine.

Describe the position of the kidneys in the trunk.

Retroperitoneal, on the posterior abdominal wall.

At what vertebral level are the kidneys located?

Approximately T12-L3.

Which kidney is higher and why?

The left kidney is higher because the right kidney is displaced downward by the liver.

Why are the kidneys surrounded by fat in the living subject?

For protection and to hold them in place.

What might be the effect of an enlarged prostate gland on urine flow?

Obstruction of urine flow due to compression of the prostatic urethra.

What is the function of the spermatic cord?

To contain vessels, nerves, and the ductus deferens supplying the testis.

What is the function of the scrotal muscles (dartos and cremaster)?

To regulate testicular temperature.

What is the function of the ovaries?

To produce ova and hormones (estrogen and progesterone).

What is the function of the uterine tubes?

To transport the ovum from the ovary to the uterus; site of fertilisation.

What is the function of the uterus?

To house and support a developing embryo/fetus.

What is the function of the vagina?

Birth canal, menstrual flow passage, and copulatory organ.

What is the rectouterine pouch?

A peritoneal recess between the uterus and rectum.

What is the vesicouterine pouch?

A peritoneal recess between the uterus and bladder.

What is the perineum?

The region between the thighs containing the urogenital and anal triangles.

Which systems have openings in the urogenital triangle?

Urinary and reproductive systems.

Which system has an opening in the anal triangle?

The digestive system.

What are the three parts of the male urethra?

Prostatic, membranous, and spongy (penile) urethra.

What is a clinical implication of the male urethra passing through the prostate?

Prostate enlargement can obstruct urine flow.

What is the function of bile?

To emulsify fats and aid in lipid digestion.

What delivers nutrient-rich blood to the liver?

The hepatic portal vein.

What is the function of the duodenum?

To receive chyme and mix it with bile and pancreatic enzymes for chemical digestion.

What is the function of bile and pancreatic secretions?

Bile emulsifies fats; pancreatic enzymes digest fats, proteins, and carbohydrates.

Name two functions of the pancreas.

Endocrine: produces insulin and glucagon. Exocrine: produces digestive enzymes.

True or false: The pancreas is retroperitoneal.

True.

What ducts join to form the common bile duct?

The common hepatic duct and the cystic duct.

What is the function of the gallbladder?

To store and concentrate bile.

What is the origin of blood in the hepatic portal vein?

The gastrointestinal tract and spleen.

What is the origin of blood in the hepatic artery?

The systemic arterial circulation (via the celiac trunk).

How does blood differ between the hepatic portal vein and hepatic artery?

Portal vein blood is nutrient-rich but oxygen-poor; hepatic artery blood is oxygen-rich.

What is the function of the urinary system?

To filter blood, remove waste, regulate fluid and electrolyte balance, and produce urine.

Describe the position of the kidneys in the trunk.

Retroperitoneal on the posterior abdominal wall.

At what approximate level of the posterior abdominal wall are the kidneys located?

T12-L3.

Which kidney is higher and why?

The left kidney is higher because the right kidney is displaced downward by the liver.

Why are the kidneys surrounded by fat in the living subject?

For protection, cushioning, and to hold them in place.

What might be the effect of an enlarged prostate gland on urine flow?

It can obstruct urine flow by compressing the prostatic urethra.

What are the three parts of the male urethra?

Prostatic urethra, membranous urethra, spongy (penile) urethra.

What is a clinical implication of the male urethra passing through the prostate?

Prostate enlargement can obstruct urine flow.

What is the difference between the male and female urethra?

The male urethra is longer and passes through the prostate and penis; the female urethra is shorter and opens anterior to the vagina.

What clinical implication arises from the shorter female urethra?

Increased risk of urinary tract infections.

What is the function of the spermatic cord?

To contain vessels, nerves, lymphatics, and the ductus deferens supplying the testis.

What is the function of the scrotal muscles (dartos and cremaster)?

To regulate testicular temperature for optimal sperm production.

What is the function of the epididymis?

To store and mature sperm.

What is the function of the ductus deferens?

To transport sperm from the epididymis to the ejaculatory duct.

What is the function of the seminal vesicles?

To produce seminal fluid rich in fructose for sperm energy.

What is the function of the prostate gland?

To produce prostatic fluid that supports sperm motility and viability.

What is the function of the ovaries?

To produce ova and secrete estrogen and progesterone.

What is the function of the uterine (fallopian) tubes?

To transport the ovum from the ovary to the uterus; site of fertilisation.

What is the function of the uterus?

To house, nourish, and support a developing embryo/fetus.

What is the function of the cervix?

To act as the lower opening of the uterus and regulate passage between uterus and vagina.

What is the function of the vagina?

Birth canal, menstrual flow passage, and copulatory organ.

What is the rectouterine pouch?

A peritoneal recess between the uterus and rectum.

What is the vesicouterine pouch?

A peritoneal recess between the uterus and bladder.

What is the perineum?

The region between the thighs containing the urogenital and anal triangles.

What are the borders of the perineum?

Pubic symphysis (anterior), coccyx (posterior), and ischial tuberosities (lateral).

Which systems have openings in the urogenital triangle?

Urinary and reproductive systems.

Which system has an opening in the anal triangle?

The digestive system.

What type of gland is the mammary gland?

An exocrine gland.

What is the function of the mammary gland?

To produce and secrete milk.