Chapter 36 - Abdominal and Genitourinary Trauma
peritoneum
A membrane in the abdomen encasing the liver, spleen, diaphragm, stomach, and transverse colon
mesentery
A membranous double fold of tissue in the abdomen that attaches various organs to the body wall
periumbilical
Pertaining to the area around the umbilicus
visceral pain
Crampy, aching pain deep within the body, the source of which is usually difficult to pinpoint; Common with genitourinary problems
evisceration
Displacement of an organ outside the body
peritonitis
Inflammation of the peritoneum, the protective membrane that lines the abdominal and pelvic cavities
Kehr sign
Left shoulder pain that may indicate a ruptured spleen
somatic pain
Localized pain, usually felt deeply, that represents irritation or injury to tissue, causing activation of peripheral nerve tracts
retroperitoneal space
The area in the abdomen containing the aorta, vena cava, pancreas, kidneys, ureters, and portions of the duodenum and large intestine
peritoneal cavity
The area in the abdomen encased in the peritoneum. It consists of an upper and a lower part. The upper portion contains the diaphragm, liver, spleen, stomach, gallbladder, and transverse colon. The lower portion contains the small bowel, sigmoid colon, parts of the descending and ascending colon, and, in women, the internal reproductive organs
hematuria
The presence of blood in the urine
hemoperitoneum
The presence of extravasated blood in the peritoneal cavity