9.) Introduction to Body Cavities

What structures in the mediastinum are present at the sternal angle?

*1.) Biforcation of the trachea* *2.) Boundaries of the aortic arch* 3.) Vertebrae T4 and T5 4.) Second rib joins the sternum 5.) Separation between the superior and inferior mediastinum

What is the difference between intraperitoneal and retroperitoneal?

*Intraperitoneal:* Organs completely covered by visceral peritoneum. Held in the peritoneal cavity by a double layer of folded peritoneum (called mesentary). *Retroperitoneal:* Organs that are positioned between the peritoneum and abdominal wall, behind peritoneum. Generally in a more fixed position.

What are some of the digestive tract organs?

1.) Abdominal esophagus 2.) Stomach 3.) Small intestine: Duodenum, Jejunum, ileum 4.) Large intestine: Cecum, colon (ascending, transverse, descending, sigmoid). 5.) Rectum and anal canal

What are the structures that form from folds of the peritoneum in the abdominopelvic cavity?

1.) Greater omentum 2.) Lesser omentum (separates the abdomen into greater and lesser stack) 3.) Peritoneal ligaments 4.) Mesentary 5.) "Covering" over the pelvic organs

What organs/tissues in the abdominal cavity are not involved with digestion?

1.) Kidneys and adrenals 2.) Spleen 3.) Aorta/IVC, lymphatics 4.) Appendix

What are some of the accessory digestive organs?

1.) Liver 2.) Gall bladder 3.) Pancreas

The thoracic cavity is divided into what two sections?

1.) Mediastinum - everything except the lungs 2.) Pleural cavities - lungs in serous membranes

What are the two categories of organs covered with peritoneum that specifies their location?

1.) Parietal peritoneum - lines the abdominal wall 2.) Visceral peritoneum - covers organs suspended in the peritoneal cavity

What is the biliary tree?

A system of vessels that directs secretions from the gall bladder and liver into the duodenum at the *major duodenal papilla.* Probably includes the cystic duct, common hepatic duct, and bile duct

What vessel is the final connection in the biliary tree that connects the liver and gall bladder with the duodenum?

Common bile duct

What separates the thoracic wall and the abdominal cavity?

Diaphragm

What is mesentary?

Double layer of folded peritoneum.

True or False: There is/are anotomical borders that separate the thoracic cavity, abdominal cavity, and pelvic cavity

False: The abdominal cavity and pelvic cavity are continuous.

True or false: The entire digestive tract is present in the thoracic and abdominal cavity.

False: the sigmoid colon runs through the pelvic inlet into the pelvic cavity in order to reach the rectum.

What is the pelvic inlet?

It is the marker for the border between the abdominal cavity and pelvic cavity. It is the bowl of the pelvis

A failure in what muscles may lead to incontinence?

Kegel muscles

What important structures lie posterior in the peritoneal abdominal wall?

Kidneys and adrenals Ureters Aorta and inferior vena cava Lymphatic channels and nerves

What is the lesser omentum?

Layers of peritoneum from stomach and duodenum to liver. (separates abdomen into greater and lesser sac).

What is the greater omentum?

Layers of peritoneum that forms a skirt-like tissue in the abdomopelvic cavity.

What are the two general subdivisions of serous membranes?

Serous membrane = Single membrane that folds over itself to form a double layer. Visceral layer = covers an organ. Visceral layer is deep to the parietal layer Parietal layer = lines a cavity or body wall.

What are the different subdivisions of the mediastinum?

Superior mediastinum: Mediastinum above the transverse plane at the sternal angle Inferior Mediastinum: Mediastinum below the sternal angle. includes the anterior, middle, and posterior mediastinum.

What cavities have serous membranes?

Thoracic cavity: Pleura around the lungs. Pericardium around the heart. Abdominopelvic cavity: Peritoneum around organs of abdomen/pelvis.

What is the potential space?

Under normal conditions, there is no space between the parietal and visceral layers of serous membranes. However, under certain pathological conditions, there is a *potential space* that can be formed. Can be filled with fluid, blood, etc...

What are the retroperitoneal structures?

Urinary system (kidney, ureter, bladder) and adrenal glands Aorta and IVC Part of the rectum Most of the pancreas (except for the tail) Most of the duodenum (except for the first segment and distal-most portion) Ascending and descending colon

A women with a ruptured pelvic floor may keep her uterus in place with a...

doughnut pessary

The sling of muscles in the pelvic floor are called...

pelvic diaphragm

Retroperitoneal organs tend to be more ________(inferior, superior, posterior, anterior, distal, medial etc...) than intraperitoneal organs.

posterior

The celiac ganglion is an example of a _____ - vertebral ganglion.

pre

The boundary between the foregut and midgut is marked by...

the major duodenal papilla in the duodenum.

What is the perineum?

The diamond shape superficial layer inferior to the pelvic floor. Contains muscles, glands, erectile tissue, and external genitalia.

What is the difference between the ileum and jejunum?

The jejunum is thought to be in the small intestine in the upper quadrant of the abdomen, and the ileum is thought to be in the lower quadrant.

What cavity does the heart lie in? Be specific.

The middle mediastinum of the thoracic cavity

What is the purpose of serous membranes?

Secretes serous fluid, allowing organs to move around with less friction. There is a *potential space* between the two layers.