INTRODUCTION TO ANATOMY

OF ABDOMEN

Dr Khai
 Abdominopelvic Cavity
Ventral body cavity
Thoracic
Abdominopelvic
Abdominopelvic
Abdominal
Liver
Stomach
Kidneys
Pelvic cavity
Bladder
Some reproductive organs
Rectum
 9 abdominal regions; 4 quadrants

The 4 quadrants:
epigastric RUQ
LUQ
flank RLQ
umbilical (side but
in back) LLQ
inguinal,
(or iliac)
Whats underneath
Muscle Anatomy:
Anterior View

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Muscle Anatomy:
Anterior View

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 Abdominal Wall
left and right
rectus abdominis
connectced by
Flex and rotate linea alba

vertebral column,
decrease volume of
abdominal and
thoracic cavities
Aid in forced
expiration, vomiting,
defecation, urination,
childbirth
Crossing pattern of
muscles adds strength
to abdominal wall to
support organs
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Abdominal Wall transverse section

Rectus Abdominis
Linea alba in center
Covered by rectus sheath
Tendinous intersections divided muscle into sections
Flexes vertebral column
External abdominal oblique: flexes and rotates
abdomen
Internal abdominal oblique: flexes and rotates
abdomen
Transversus abdominis: compresses abdominal
 Posterior Abdominal Wall
Iliopsoas
Psoas major
Function
Thigh flexion, trunk flexion, lateral
flexion
Iliacus
Function
Thigh flexion, trunk flexion
Psoas minor variable (40-60% do not
have)

Quadratus lumborum
Function
Flex vertebral column, maintains upright
posture, assists in inspiration
 heart = pericardial

The peritoneum lungs = pleural

abdomeninal = peritoneum

Is a thin serous
membrane.
Lining the wall of the
abdominal and pelvic
cavities, (the parietal
peritoneum).
Covering the existing
organs, (the visceral
peritoneum).
The potential space
between the two
layers is the
peritoneal cavity.
parietal and visceral layers between organs are interconnected
orange highlight

(a) Sagittal section through the trunk, showing the peritoneum and mesenteries
associated with some abdominal organs.
 Folds of the peritoneum

Types of
peritoneal folds :
Omenta.
Mesenteries.
Ligaments.
 Omenta Lesser
visceral peritoneum doubles up eg: liver -- stomach
omentum
Two layered fold of
peritoneum connecting the
stomach to another viscus.
The lesser omentum
attaches the lesser curvature
of the stomach to the liver.
The greater omentum
connects the greater curvature
of the stomach to the
transverse colon.

Greater
omentum
Greater omentum

origin = greater curv. of stomach

insertion = transverse
colon

stores abdominal fat

Greater
omentum
(b) Photograph of the abdomen of a cadaver, with the greater omentum in
place.
Mesenteries
Double layer of
peritoneum (2 serous
membranes fused
together)
Extend to the
digestive organs from
the body wall
Function:
Hold organs in place
Sites of fat storage
Provide a route for
vessels and nerves
Mesenteries doubling up of visceral and parietal peritoneum
eg . small intestine ---> parietal peritonium

Note dorsal, ventral and formation of

retroperitoneal position
opens from posterior
dorsal peritonium

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Mesenteries
Two ventral mesenteries
Falciform ligament
*
ventral mesenteries
Binds anterior aspect of liver
to anterior abdominal wall
other than these 2, and diaphragm
others are dorsal mesenteries.

Lesser omentum (=fatty

skin) see diagram*
All other mesenteries are
dorsal (posterior)
opening is from posterior

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Note mesenteries: falciform ligament, lesser
omentum, greater omentum

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(c) Photograph of the abdomen of a cadaver, with the greater omentum
removed to reveal the underlying viscera.
Mesenteries continued (all these are dorsal)

Greater omentum
Connects stomach to posterior abdominal wall very roundabout
Wraps around spleen: gastrosplenic ligament
Continues dorsally as splenorenal ligament
A lot of fat
Limits spread of infection by wrapping around inflamed e.g. appendix
Mesentery or mesentery proper
Supports long coils of jejunum and ileum (parts of small intestine)
Transverse mesocolon
Transverse colon held to posterior abdominal wall
Nearly horizontal sheet fused to underside of greater omentum
Sigmoid mesocolon
Connects sigmoid colon to posterior abdominal wall

see next slides for pics

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Note: greater omentum, lesser omentum, falciform ligament,
transverse mesocolon, mesentery, sigmoid mesocolon

connected to transverse colon

and linked with greater omentum

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Divisions of the peritoneal
cavity :
Greater sac; extends from
diaphragm down to the pelvis.
Lesser sac; lies behind the
stomach.
Both cavities are
interconnected through the
epiploic foramen.
In male : the peritoneum is a
closed sac .
In female : the sac is not
completely closed because it
communicates with the exterior
through the uterine tubes,
uterus and vagina.
peritoneal cavity separated medially by omentum
Greater sac = front peritoneal cavity
lesser sac = back peritoneal cavity
 Some organs are retroperitoneal
Are behind the peritoneum
Fused to posterior (dorsal) abdominal wall
Lack a mesentery
Tend to cause back pain, instead of abdominal pain
SAD PUCKER:
Suprarenal (adrenal) glands [not shown]
Aorta and IVC
Duodenum (2nd through 4th parts)
Pancreas (except tail)
Ureters [not shown]
Colon (descending and ascending)
Kidneys
Esophagus (lower 2 /3) [not shown]
Rectum (partially) [not shown]

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