Anatomy of the Peritoneum, Digestive System, and Abdominal Structures

Visceral peritoneum

The inner layer of the peritoneum that covers the abdominal organs.

Parietal peritoneum

The outer layer of the peritoneum that lines the abdominal cavity.

Retroperitoneum

The space behind the peritoneum that contains the kidneys and other structures.

Greater omentum

A large fold of peritoneum that hangs down from the stomach and covers the intestines.

Lesser omentum

A fold of peritoneum that connects the stomach to the liver.

Oral cavity

The space within the mouth that includes the gums, teeth, and tongue.

Labial frenulum

The small fold of tissue that connects the inside of the lip to the gums.

Lingual frenulum

The fold of tissue that connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth.

Lingual tonsils

Tonsils located at the base of the tongue.

Palatine tonsils

Tonsils located on either side of the throat.

Hard palate

The bony front part of the roof of the mouth.

Soft palate

The soft tissue at the back of the roof of the mouth.

Salivary glands

Glands that produce saliva to aid in digestion.

Parotid gland

The largest salivary gland located near the ear.

Submandibular gland

A salivary gland located beneath the jaw.

Sublingual gland

A salivary gland located under the tongue.

Oropharynx

The part of the pharynx located behind the oral cavity.

Laryngeal pharynx

The part of the pharynx that is located behind the larynx.

Thoracic esophagus

The portion of the esophagus located in the thoracic cavity.

Abdominal esophagus

The portion of the esophagus located in the abdominal cavity.

Stomach

A muscular organ that digests food by mixing it with gastric juices.

Cardia region

The area of the stomach where the esophagus connects.

Fundic region

The upper part of the stomach that stores food.

Body of the stomach

The main central region of the stomach.

Pyloric region

The lower part of the stomach that connects to the small intestine.

Lesser curvature

The smaller, concave border of the stomach.

Greater curvature

The larger, convex border of the stomach.

Rugae (gastric folds)

The folds in the stomach lining that allow it to expand.

Pyloric sphincter

The muscle that controls the passage of food from the stomach to the small intestine.

Small intestine

The part of the digestive system where most digestion and absorption occurs.

Duodenum

The first section of the small intestine, where most chemical digestion occurs.

Duodenal papilla

The opening in the duodenum where bile and pancreatic juices enter.

Jejunum

The middle section of the small intestine, primarily involved in absorption.

Ileum

The final section of the small intestine, which connects to the large intestine.

Ileal papilla

The opening where the ileum connects to the cecum.

Mesentery of small intestine

The fold of tissue that attaches the small intestine to the abdominal wall.

Ileocecal valve / junction

The valve that controls the flow between the ileum and the cecum.

Cecum

The first part of the large intestine, connecting to the ileum.

Vermiform appendix

A small, tube-like structure attached to the cecum.

Ascending colon

The part of the large intestine that moves upward on the right side of the abdomen.

Right colic flexure

The bend in the colon between the ascending and transverse colon.

Taenia coli

Three bands of smooth muscle that run along the length of the colon.

Transverse colon

The part of the large intestine that runs horizontally across the abdomen.

Haustra

Pouches formed by the contraction of the taenia coli in the colon.

Mesocolon

The fold of peritoneum that attaches the colon to the abdominal wall.

Descending colon

The part of the large intestine that moves downward on the left side of the abdomen.

Left colic flexure

The bend in the colon between the transverse and descending colon.

Diverticulum

A small bulge or pouch that forms in the wall of the colon.

Omental appendices

Small pouches of fat that hang from the colon.

Sigmoid colon

The part of the large intestine that connects to the rectum.

Rectum

The final section of the large intestine, leading to the anus.

Liver

A large organ that processes nutrients and detoxifies harmful substances.

Right lobe

The larger lobe of the liver.

Left lobe

The smaller lobe of the liver.

Caudate lobe

A lobe of the liver located near the inferior vena cava.

Quadrate lobe

A lobe of the liver located near the gallbladder.

Inferior vena cava

The large vein that carries deoxygenated blood from the lower body to the heart.

Falciform ligament

The ligament that attaches the liver to the anterior abdominal wall.

Round ligament

A remnant of the umbilical vein that runs along the falciform ligament.

Porta hepatis

The area of the liver where blood vessels and bile ducts enter and exit.

Gallbladder

A small organ that stores bile produced by the liver.

Hepatic ducts

Ducts that carry bile from the liver to the gallbladder.

Cystic duct

The duct that connects the gallbladder to the common bile duct.

Bile duct

The duct that carries bile from the liver and gallbladder to the duodenum.

Pancreas

An organ that produces digestive enzymes and hormones like insulin.

Pancreatic duct

The duct that carries digestive enzymes from the pancreas to the duodenum.

Head (of pancreas)

The wider part of the pancreas that is adjacent to the duodenum.

Body (of pancreas)

The central part of the pancreas.

Tail (of pancreas)

The tapered end of the pancreas that extends toward the spleen.