Chapter 4 Abdominopelvic Anatomy and Related Ultrasound Concepts (Vocabulary)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key anatomy and ultrasound concepts from the notes.

Integumentary system

The body system comprising skin and its appendages; provides protection and sensory interaction with the environment.

Lipomas

Benign masses of fat.

Hematomas

Localized collections of blood (bruises) within tissues.

Sebaceous cysts

Fluid-filled sacs arising from blocked sebaceous glands in the skin.

Epidermoid cysts

Hard lumps filled with keratin, usually in the skin.

Foreign objects

Inert materials such as splinters or glass fragments embedded in tissue.

Conus medullaris

The tapered end of the spinal cord where it terminates.

Nerve roots

Bundles of nerve fibers that emerge from the spinal cord.

Pleural effusion

Accumulation of fluid in the pleural space around the lungs.

Thoracentesis

Procedure to remove fluid from the pleural space.

Endocrine system

Hormone-secreting glands that release products into the bloodstream.

Endocrine

Glands that secrete hormones directly into the blood.

Exocrine

Glands that secrete substances into ducts.

Pancreas

Gland with both endocrine and exocrine functions; regulates blood sugar and digestion.

Thyroid

Endocrine gland producing thyroid hormones.

Ovaries/Testes

Gonads that produce sex hormones.

Adrenals

Adrenal glands that secrete corticosteroids and catecholamines.

Exocrine glands

Glands that release substances into ducts, such as the gallbladder, pancreas, intestines, salivary, and mammary glands.

Lymphatic system

Part of the immune system consisting of lymphatic fluid, lymph nodes, vessels, ducts, spleen, thymus, tonsils and adenoids.

Lymphatic fluid

Fluid carried by lymphatic vessels containing immune cells.

RBC (erythrocytes)

Red blood cells that transport oxygen.

WBC (leukocytes)

White blood cells that fight infection.

Platelets (thrombocytes)

Cell fragments essential for blood clotting.

Hematocrit

Percentage of blood volume occupied by red blood cells.

Hemopoiesis

Formation of new blood cells.

Anemia

Low red blood cell count or hemoglobin.

Leukopenia

Low white blood cell count.

Thrombocytopenia

Low platelet count.

Polycythemia

Excess of red blood cells.

Leukocytosis

Elevated white blood cell count due to infection or inflammation.

Thrombocytosis

Elevated platelet count, often associated with cancer or inflammation.

Peritoneum

Serous membrane lining the abdominal cavity and covering viscera; consists of parietal and visceral layers.

Parietal peritoneum

Peritoneal layer that lines the abdominal wall.

Visceral peritoneum

Peritoneal layer that covers abdominal organs.

Peritoneal cavity

Potential space between parietal and visceral peritoneum; may distend with fluid (ascites).

Ascites

Excess peritoneal fluid within the peritoneal cavity.

Greater sac

Main peritoneal cavity extending across the abdomen from diaphragm to pelvis.

Lesser sac

Peritoneal pouch located behind the lesser omentum and stomach.

Epiploic foramen

Opening that connects the greater sac to the lesser sac.

Mesentery

Two-layered fold of peritoneum attaching the intestines to the posterior abdominal wall.

Omentum

Two-layered fold of peritoneum connecting the stomach to other viscera.

Greater omentum

Large apron-like fold attaching to the greater curvature of the stomach and draping over the intestines.

Lesser omentum

Double layer connecting the lesser curvature of the stomach to the liver (gastrohepatic ligament).

Gastrosplenic ligament

Ligament connecting the stomach to the spleen.

Peritoneal ligaments

Folds of peritoneum named for the organs they connect.

Abdominal wall

Anterior body wall comprising muscles and fascia (diaphragm, external/internal oblique, rectus abdominis, transversus abdominis, linea alba, etc.).

Rectus abdominis

Vertical muscle of the anterior abdominal wall.

External oblique

Outermost abdominal muscle.

Internal oblique

Middle layer of abdominal muscles.

Transversus abdominis

Deep abdominal muscle layer.

Linea alba

Fibrous midline seam separating left and right rectus muscles.

Falciform ligament

Peritoneal fold attaching liver to the anterior abdominal wall.

Umbilicus

Navel or belly button.

Transversalis fascia

Fascia between the abdominal muscles and peritoneum.

Arcuate line

Line marking the inferior limit of the posterior rectus sheath.

Inferior epigastric vessels

Blood vessels running along the posterior surface of the rectus abdominis.

Deep circumflex iliac vessels

Vessels along the iliac crest.

Inguinal canal

Oblique passage through the lower anterior abdominal wall; transmits spermatic cord in males and round ligament in females.

Spermatic cord

Structure within the male inguinal canal containing vessels, nerves, and ductus deferens.

Round ligament (ligamentum teres)

Fibrous cord connecting the uterus to the labia majora.

Inguinal (Hesselbach) triangle

An area of potential weakness in the lower anterior abdominal wall prone to direct hernias.

Femoral ring

Opening to the femoral canal in the groin.

Femoral sheath

Vascular sheath enclosing the femoral vessels in the groin.

Pectineal ligament

Ligament along the pectineal line of the pelvis.

Median umbilical ligament

Remnant of the urachus extending from the bladder to the umbilicus.

Retroperitoneal vs peritoneal

Peritoneal organs are suspended by mesentery; retroperitoneal organs are not.

Peritoneal vs Retroperitoneal examples

Peritoneal: gallbladder, liver, ovaries/uterus, stomach, spleen; Retroperitoneal: aorta/IVC, duodenum (2nd & 4th parts), pancreas, ureters, kidneys, esophagus, rectum.

Morison's pouch

Right posterior subphrenic space between liver, right kidney, and colon; common site for fluid collections.

Nine abdominal regions

Divides the abdomen into nine regions using a horizontal and vertical plan.

Right Upper Quadrant (RUQ)

Quadrant containing liver, gallbladder, part of stomach, and right kidney.

Left Upper Quadrant (LUQ)

Quadrant containing stomach, spleen, and parts of pancreas and kidney.

Right Lower Quadrant (RLQ)

Quadrant containing cecum and appendix; parts of small intestine.

Left Lower Quadrant (LLQ)

Quadrant containing descending/sigmoid colon and portions of small intestine.

Transumbilical plane

Plane passing horizontally through the umbilicus.