Visceral Anatomy - The Abdomen

right upper quadrant

left upper quadrant

left lower quadrant

right lower quadrant

epigastric region

umbilical region

hypogastric region

right hypochondriac region

left hypochondriac region

right lumbar region

left lumbar region

right inguinal region

left inguinal region

abdominal esophagus

• passes through esophageal hiatus in diaphragm at the T10 level

• 1.5 to 2.5 cm long

• connects to stomach (terminates) at cardiac orifice of the stomach (posterior to the 7th costal cartilage on the left)

• lies on the horizontal plane that passes approximately through tip of the xyphoid process

• fits into a groove on the visceral or posterior surface of the liver

region

retroperitoneal

Is the abdominal esophagus intraperitoneal or retroperitoneal?

foregut

Is the abdominal esophagus a part of the foregut, midgut, or hindgut?

celiac trunk

arterial supply of the abdominal esophagus

swallowing

function of the abdominal esophagus

deglutition

What is another term for swallowing?

hiatal hernia

pathology of abdominal esophagus

stomach

• a muscular, J-shaped organ in the upper abdomen

right and left upper quadrants

Which quadrants can the stomach be found in?

greater curvature of stomach

lesser curvature of stomach

pylorus

• aka “gatekeeper”

pyloric canal

What is another name for the pylorus?

celiac trunk

arterial supply of stomach

stomach

Which organ has the following function:

• stores food, mixes it with gastric secretions to form “chyme”

hiatal hernia

pathology of stomach

duodenum

• the 1st part of the small intestine

right and left upper quadrants

Which quadrants can the duodenum be found in?

celiac trunk and superior mesenteric artery

arterial supply of duodenum

small intestine

Which organ has the following function:

• primary site for absorption of nutrients from ingested materials

celiac disease

pathology of duodenum

liver

• accessory organ of the GI tract

• largest and most vascular organ in the body

• accounts for approximately 2.5% of adult body weight

falciform ligament

round ligament

right and left upper quadrants

Which quadrants can the liver be found in?

celiac trunk

arterial supply of liver

liver

Which organ has over 500 functions, including the following:

• storehouse for glycogen

• forms and secretes bile (aids in emulsification of fat)

• removes toxins from the body’s blood supply

hepatomegaly

pathology of liver

gallbladder

• a sac located under the liver

celiac trunk

arterial supply of gallbladder

gallbladder

Which organ has the following function:

• stores and concentrates bile by absorption of water

pathology of gall bladder

pancreas

• a long, flat gland that lies in the abdomen behind the stomach

• lies anterior to the L1-L3 vertebrae

• tail - “tickles” the spleen

• accessory digestive gland

celiac trunk and superior mesenteric artery

arterial supply of pancreas

spleen

• one of the most commonly injured organs in the abdomen (motor vehicle accidents, athletics, falls from heights, physical abuse)

celiac trunk

arterial supply of spleen

superior mesenteric artery

arterial supply of ileum and jejunum

celiac disease

pathology of ileum and jejunum

large intestine

cecum

appendix

ascending colon

transverse colon

descending colon

sigmoid colon

rectum

anal canal

superior mesenteric artery and inferior mesenteric artery

arterial supply of large intestine

appendicitis

pathology of large intestine

kidneys

• protected by thoracic cage - 11th and 12th floating ribs

renal arteries

arterial supply of kidneys

adrenal glands

• lie on superomedial aspect of corresponding kidney at level of celiac trunk

suprarenal glands

What is another name for the adrenal glands?

renal arteries

arterial supply of adrenal glands

Cushing’s syndrome and Addison’s disease

pathology of adrenal glands

ureters

• two thick tubes which act to transport urine from the kidney to the bladder

• abdominal portion: above pelvic brim; lies on psoas, courses anterior to genitofemoral nerve

• pelvic portion: inferior to pelvic brim; cross common iliac or external iliac vessels

arterial supply of ureters

ureteral obstruction

pathology of ureters