Respiratory, Abdominal Wall & Digestive Anatomy – Lecture Review

Vocabulary flashcards covering major anatomical terms and structures discussed in the combined respiratory, abdominal wall, and digestive system lecture.

Trachea

Windpipe with C-shaped cartilage rings; bifurcates at the carina into right & left primary bronchi.

Carina

Ridge at the tracheal bifurcation where the airway splits into primary bronchi.

Right Primary Bronchus

Shorter, wider, more vertical bronchus—most common site of aspirated objects.

Left Primary Bronchus

Longer, narrower, more horizontal bronchus leading to the left lung.

Secondary (Lobar) Bronchi

Bronchi supplying individual lobes—3 on the right, 2 on the left.

Tertiary (Segmental) Bronchi

8-10 smaller bronchi per lung that supply bronchopulmonary segments.

Bronchioles

Smallest bronchi; lack cartilage and branch into terminal and respiratory bronchioles.

Terminal Bronchioles

Last part of the conducting division; no gas exchange yet.

Respiratory Bronchioles

First airway of the respiratory division where gas exchange begins.

Alveolar Ducts

Small passages leading from respiratory bronchioles to alveolar sacs.

Alveolar Sacs

Grape-like clusters of alveoli at the distal end of alveolar ducts.

Alveoli

Microscopic air sacs; primary site of gas exchange in the lungs.

Apex of Lung

Superior pointed part of each lung.

Base of Lung

Inferior broad part resting on the diaphragm.

Root of Lung

Bundle of structures entering/leaving the lung: bronchi, pulmonary arteries, pulmonary veins.

Left Lung Hilum Order

Superior-to-inferior: pulmonary artery, bronchus, pulmonary veins.

Right Lung Hilum Order

Pulmonary artery (anterosuperior), bronchus (posterosuperior), pulmonary veins (inferior).

Right Lung Lobes

Superior, middle, inferior; separated by oblique & horizontal fissures.

Left Lung Lobes

Superior and inferior; separated by a single oblique fissure.

Lingula

Tongue-like extension of the left superior lobe—homologous to right middle lobe.

Cardiac Notch

Indentation in the left lung accommodating the heart.

External Oblique

Most superficial lateral abdominal muscle; fibers run "hands-in-pockets" (down & in).

Internal Oblique

Middle lateral abdominal muscle; fibers run up & in, perpendicular to external oblique.

Transversus Abdominis

Deepest lateral abdominal muscle; fibers run horizontally.

Rectus Abdominis

Vertical “six-pack” muscles on either side of linea alba; enclosed in rectus sheath.

Linea Alba

Midline tendinous seam joining left & right rectus sheaths from xiphoid to pubis.

Tendinous Intersections

Horizontal fibrous bands dividing rectus abdominis into visible segments.

Inguinal Ligament

Thickened inferior border of external oblique aponeurosis from ASIS to pubic tubercle.

Inguinal Canal

Passage above inguinal ligament; transmits spermatic cord (males) or round ligament of uterus (females).

Indirect Inguinal Hernia

Herniation that enters the deep inguinal ring and travels through the canal (lateral).

Direct Inguinal Hernia

Herniation through weakened anterior abdominal wall medial to deep ring; bypasses canal.

Quadratus Lumborum

Posterior abdominal wall muscle; laterally flexes the trunk.

Pelvic Diaphragm

Muscular floor of pelvis composed of levator ani and coccygeus muscles; supports pelvic organs.

Levator Ani

Major component of pelvic diaphragm; includes pubococcygeus and iliococcygeus.

Coccygeus

Posterior muscle of pelvic diaphragm attaching ischial spine to coccyx.

Alimentary Canal

Continuous digestive tube from mouth to anus through which food passes.

Accessory Digestive Organs

Organs that aid digestion without direct food contact (e.g., liver, pancreas, gallbladder).

Right Upper Quadrant (RUQ)

Contains liver, gallbladder, and right kidney.

Left Upper Quadrant (LUQ)

Contains stomach, spleen, and left kidney.

Right Lower Quadrant (RLQ)

Contains cecum, appendix, and right ovary (female).

Left Lower Quadrant (LLQ)

Contains sigmoid colon and left ovary (female).

Mucosa

Innermost alimentary layer in contact with food.

Submucosa

Layer with blood vessels and glands beneath mucosa.

Muscularis Externa

Smooth muscle layer (inner circular & outer longitudinal) responsible for peristalsis; stomach has a third oblique layer.

Serosa (Adventitia)

Outermost connective-tissue covering of the alimentary canal.

Parietal Peritoneum

Serous membrane lining the abdominal wall.

Visceral Peritoneum

Serous membrane covering abdominal organs.

Mesentery

Double layer of peritoneum suspending and anchoring intraperitoneal organs.

Retroperitoneal Organs

Develop behind peritoneum; include kidneys, ureters, aorta, and IVC.

Foregut

Distal esophagus, stomach, proximal duodenum, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen.

Midgut

Distal duodenum to proximal 2/3 of transverse colon (jejunum, ileum, cecum, appendix, ascending colon).

Hindgut

Distal 1/3 transverse colon to rectum (descending & sigmoid colon, rectum).

Esophagus

Muscular tube (skeletal → smooth muscle) conveying food; passes diaphragm at T10.

Stomach Cardia

Region where esophagus enters the stomach.

Stomach Fundus

Dome under left diaphragm; traps swallowed air.

Stomach Body

Main central portion of the stomach.

Pyloric Sphincter

Muscular valve controlling passage from stomach to duodenum.

Rugae

Folds of gastric mucosa that allow stomach expansion.

Greater Omentum

Large apron-like peritoneal fold hanging from greater curvature; can wall off infections.

Lesser Omentum

Peritoneal fold connecting lesser curvature of stomach to liver.

Pancreas – Endocrine Function

Secretes insulin & glucagon to regulate blood glucose.

Pancreas – Exocrine Function

Produces pancreatic enzymes delivered to duodenum via pancreatic duct.

Liver Functions

Produces bile; detoxifies nutrient-rich blood from GI tract.

Right & Left Hepatic Ducts

Drain bile from respective liver lobes; unite as common hepatic duct.

Falciform Ligament

Attaches liver to anterior abdominal wall; divides right & left lobes.

Coronary Ligament

Peritoneal reflections binding liver superiorly to diaphragm.

Round Ligament of Liver

Fibrous remnant of fetal umbilical vein in free edge of falciform ligament.

Porta Hepatis

Hilum of liver containing hepatic ducts, hepatic artery proper, and hepatic portal vein.

Gallbladder

Stores and concentrates bile produced by the liver.

Cystic Duct

Connects gallbladder to common hepatic duct; bile flows in both directions.

Common Bile Duct

Formed by cystic and common hepatic ducts; empties bile into duodenum.