Exam 3 - abdominal and peritoneal cavities

diaphragm

forms the cranial border of the abdominal cavity, has a central tendinous area and muscular periphery (sternal, costal, lumbar portions)

lumbar diaphragm

consists of tendons called the right and left crura; aortic hiatus in between crura through which the aorta passes into the abdominal cavity

caval foramen

tendinous portion of the diaphragm through which the caudal vena cava passes

esophageal hiatus

entry point into abdominal cavity for the esophagus and ventral/dorsal vagal trunks

parietal peritoneum

peritoneum which lines the inner abdominal wall and caudal surface of the diaphragm

visceral peritoneum

peritoneum that covers the abdominal organs

connecting peritoneum

carries the blood vessels and nerves to the abdominal organs from the dorsal part of abdominal cavity

peritoneal cavity

contains nothing but a small amount of fluid

falciform ligament

fat-filled double layer fold of the peritoneum, continous with partietal pleura on ventral midline and extends from the umbilicus to the liver

round ligament of the liver

band of connective tissue in the free border of the falciform ligament, remnant of umbilical vein

median ligament of the urinary bladder

fold of peritoneum from the ventral body wall extending from the umbilicus to the apex of the urinary bladder

lateral ligaments of the urinary bladder

run between the lateral body walls the urinary bladder

mesoductus deferens

fold of peritoneum that attaches the ductus deferens in the male to the abdominal and pelvic body walls

greater omentum

double layered, fat-filled connecting peritoneal structure that folds in on itself and covers the ventral surface of the abdominal viscera; has superficial and deep leaves with omentum bursa in between

epiploic foramen

only opening from the peritoneal cavity into omentum bursa

lesser omentum

thin, lacy sheet of peritoneum which connects the lesser curvature of the stomach to the liver (also called the hepatogastric ligament)