Organization of the Abdominopelvic Cavity and Serous Membranes

Vocabulary flashcards covering the organization of the abdominopelvic cavity, its quadrants, regions, clinical pain correlations, and serous membranes.

Pericardial cavity

A cavity located within the inferior mediastinum that is enclosed by a serous membrane and surrounds the heart (peri- = "around").

Abdominal cavity

The division of the abdominopelvic cavity spanning from the diaphragm to the bony pelvis, containing organs of the digestive, lymphatic, and urinary systems.

Pelvic cavity

The division of the abdominopelvic cavity located within the bony pelvis, containing organs of the reproductive, digestive, and urinary systems.

Peritoneal cavity

A subcavity enclosed within serous membranes located inside the abdominal cavity.

Abdominopelvic quadrants

A medical system dividing the abdominopelvic cavity into four segments—right upper quadrant (RUQ), left upper quadrant (LUQ), right lower quadrant (RLQ), and left lower quadrant (LLQ)—using two lines intersecting at the umbilicus in the transverse and midsagittal planes.

Hypochondriac regions

The right and left superior divisions of the nine-region abdominopelvic system, located below the cartilage of the ribs (hypo- = "below", chondro- = "cartilage").

Epigastric region

The region of the abdominopelvic cavity located between the right and left hypochondriac regions and superior to the stomach (epi- = "above", gastr- = "stomach").

Lumbar regions

The right and left middle regions of the abdominopelvic cavity, located in approximately the same area as the lumbar vertebrae.

Umbilical region

The central region of the abdominopelvic cavity located between the right and left lumbar regions that contains the umbilicus.

Iliac (inguinal) regions

The right and left inferior regions of the abdominopelvic cavity, named for the anatomical regions over which they lie.

Hypogastric region

The abdominopelvic region located between the right and left iliac regions, inferior to the stomach.

Right lower quadrant (RLQ) pain

Abdominal pain located in the RLQ, which can be caused by problems with the appendix, right ovary (in females), first part of the large intestine, or last portion of the small intestine.

Left upper quadrant (LUQ) pain

Abdominal pain located in the LUQ, which can result from problems with the stomach, spleen, pancreas, or parts of the large intestine.

Serous membranes

Thin sheets of continuous tissue that fold over on themselves to enclose a single space within certain anterior body cavities.

Serous fluid

A watery, slippery liquid produced by cells of the serous membrane that functions to lubricate organs in the cavity and prevent friction during movement.

Visceral layer

The inner layer of a serous membrane that directly contacts an organ (viscer- = "organ").

Parietal layer

The outer layer of a serous membrane that attaches to surrounding structures.

Pleural membranes

The serous membranes around the lungs, consisting of an outer parietal pleura along the thoracic wall and an inner visceral pleura along the lung surfaces, enclosing the pleural cavities.

Pericardial membranes

The serous membranes around the heart, consisting of an outer parietal pericardium encircling the heart in the mediastinum and an inner visceral pericardium.