Abdominal Wall, Peritoneal Structures, GI Tract, Retroperitoneum, Pelvis & Reproductive Anatomy - Vocabulary Flashcards

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering the major anatomical structures of the abdominal wall, peritoneal spaces, GI tract, retroperitoneum, pelvis, and reproductive organs based on the provided notes.

Xiphoid Process

The small cartilaginous tip at the inferior end of the sternum

Splenic Vein

drains the spleen

Costal Cartilages

Cartilages connecting ribs to the sternum

Costal Margin

The curved line formed by the lower borders of the rib cage where costal cartilages meet.

Camper’s Fascia

Superficial fatty layer of the abdominal wall fascia.

Scarpa’s Fascia

Deep membranous layer of the abdominal fascia.

Inguinal Ligament

Fibrous band formed by the external oblique aponeurosis between the ASIS and pubic tubercle.

Superficial Inguinal Ring

Exit of the inguinal canal; where the spermatic cord/round ligament and ilioinguinal nerve emerge.

Deep Inguinal Ring

Entrance to the inguinal canal; located lateral to the inferior epigastric arteries.

Spermatic Cord

Cord passing through the inguinal canal into the scrotum; contains vessels, nerves, and the vas deferens.

Round Ligament

Ligament passing through the inguinal canal to the labia majora

External Oblique

Most superficial abdominal muscle; fibers run down and forward

External Oblique Origin

ribs 5-12

External Oblique Innervation

thoracoabdominal and subcostal nerves

External Oblique Action

flex and rotate trunk, supports abdominal viscera

Aponeurosis of External Oblique

Tough sheet continuing the external oblique inferiorly; begins at the midclavicular line.

Internal Oblique

Muscle deep to external oblique; fibers run up and forward

Internal Oblique Innervation

thoracoabdominal and first lumbar nerves

Internal Oblique Action

flex and rotate trunk, supports abdominal viscera

Transversus Abdominis

Muscle with horizontal fibers

Transversus Abdominis Innervation

thoracoabdominal and first lumbar nerves

Transversus Abdominis Action

compress and support abdominal viscera

Rectus Abdominis

Vertical muscle fibers

Rectus Abdominis Origin

pubic symphysis and pubic crest

Rectus Abdominis Insertion

xiphoid process

Rectus Abdominis Innervation

thoracoabdominal nerves

Rectus Abdominis Action

flex trunk, support abdominal viscera, control pelvic tilt

Semilunar Line

marks lateral edge of the rectus sheath.

Linea Alba

separates the right and left rectus abdominis muscles.

Median Umbilical Fold

Midline fold containing the median umbilical ligament (urachus remnant).

Medial Umbilical Folds

Lateral to the median fold; contain medial umbilical ligaments (umbilical arteries remnants).

Lateral Umbilical Folds

Most lateral folds; contain the inferior epigastric vessels.

Transversalis Fascia

Fascia lining the deep surface of the transversus abdominis.

Arcuate Line (Muscles)

Line where the transversalis fascia starts to cover the inferior quarter of the rectus abdominis.

Posterior Layer of Rectus Sheath

Fibrous layer surrounding the rectus abdominis posteriorly.

Greater Sac

Main and larger part of the peritoneal cavity.

Lesser Sac

Peritoneal space posterior to the stomach and lesser omentum.

Omental Foramen

Passage between the greater and lesser sacs

Greater Omentum

Large apron-like fold of visceral peritoneum hanging from the greater curvature of the stomach.

Gastrophrenic Ligament

Connects the stomach to the inferior surface of the diaphragm; greater omentum

Gastrosplenic Ligament

Connects the stomach to the spleen; greater omentum

Gastrocolic Ligament

Connects the greater curvature of the stomach to the transverse colon; greater omentum

Transverse Mesocolon

Mesentery attaching the transverse colon to the posterior abdominal wall.

Lesser Omentum

Smaller peritoneal fold connecting the liver to the lesser curvature of the stomach and the duodenum.

Hepatogastric Ligament

Connects the liver to the lesser curvature of the stomach; lesser omentum

Hepatoduodenal Ligament

Connects the liver to the duodenum; contains the portal triad; lesser omentum

Lesser Curvature

The superior/smaller curvature of the stomach.

Greater Curvature

The inferior/larger curvature of the stomach.

Fundus

Superior dilation of the stomach, near the left side.

Cardias

The region where the esophagus meets the stomach.

Body of Stomach

The main central portion of the stomach.

Pylorus

Sphincter region between the stomach and the duodenum.

Rugal Folds of Stomach

folds on the inside lining of the stomach.

Falciform Ligament

Peritoneal fold attaching the liver to the anterior abdominal wall.

Ligamentum Teres

Free edge of the falciform ligament; remnant of the umbilical vein.

Subphrenic Space

Area between the diaphragm and the liver.

Left Coronary Ligament

leads into the triangular ligament

Right Triangular Ligament

Triangular hepatic ligament on the superior surface of the right lobe.

Left Triangular Ligament

Triangular hepatic ligament on the superior surface of the left lobe.

Bare Area of Liver

Region on the liver not covered by peritoneum; directly apposed to the diaphragm.

Caudate Lobe

Small posterior lobe of the liver.

Quadrate Lobe

Small anterior lobe of the liver near the gallbladder.

Porta Hepatis

where the portal triad enters or exits the liver.

Portal Triad

proper hepatic artery, bile duct, and hepatic portal vein.

Proper Hepatic Artery

Continuation of the common hepatic artery; supplies the liver.

Hepatic Portal Vein

Formed by union of the splenic and superior mesenteric veins; drains to the liver.

Common Bile Duct

where common hepatic and cystic ducts join

Right Hepatic Duct

Drains bile from the right liver lobe

Left Hepatic Duct

Drains bile from the left liver lobe

Common Hepatic Duct

Formed by the union of right and left hepatic ducts; drains bile from liver.

Cystic Duct

Bile duct from the gallbladder that joins the common hepatic duct.

Cystic Artery

Artery supplying the gallbladder; branch of the right hepatic artery.

Right Gastric Artery

Supplies the lower part of the lesser curvature; branch of the common hepatic artery.

Left Gastric Artery

Supplies the left part of the lesser curvature; branch of the celiac trunk.

Right Gastro-Omental Artery

Supplies the right part of the greater curvature; branch of the gastroduodenal artery.

Superior Pancreaticoduodenal Artery

Supplies the superior aspect of the pancreas and duodenum; branch of the gastroduodenal artery.

Splenic Artery

tortuous branch of the celiac trunk; supplies the spleen and parts of the stomach.

Short Gastric Arteries

Branches of the splenic artery; supply the fundus of the stomach.

Left Gastro-Omental Artery

Also called left gastroepiploic; supplies the left part of the greater curvature; branch of the splenic artery.

Duodenojejunal Junction

Where the duodenum transitions to the jejunum

Root of the Mesentery

connects duodenojejunal junction to the ileocolic junction

Plicae Circulares

Circular folds in the small intestine mucosa to increase surface area.

Ileocecal Junction

Junction between ileum and cecum.

Ileocecal Valve

Valve controlling flow from ileum into the cecum.

Superior Mesenteric Artery

Major arterial supply to the midgut.

Middle Colic Artery

Branch of SMA; supplies the transverse colon.

Inferior Pancreaticoduodenal Artery

Branch of SMA; supplies inferior pancreas

Right Colic Artery

Branch of SMA; supplies the ascending colon.

Ileocolic Artery

Branch of SMA; supplies the ileum and cecum

Arterial Arcades

arterial loops

Vasa Recta

Straight arteries arising from arcades to supply the jejunum and ileum.

Vermiform Appendix

Mass of lymphoid tissue attached to the cecum

Transverse Mesocolon

Mesentery of the transverse colon attaching it to the posterior abdominal wall.

Sigmoid Mesocolon

Mesentery of the sigmoid colon.

Epiploic Appendages

Fatty peritoneal pouches along the colon.

Tenia Coli

Three longitudinal bands of smooth muscle on the colon.

Haustra

Sacculations or bulges formed by contractions of the tenia coli.

Inferior Mesenteric Artery

Artery supplying the hindgut

Left Colic Artery

Branch of the IMA; supplies the descending colon.

Sigmoid Arteries

Branches of the IMA; supply the sigmoid colon.