Summary
Summary H4 Abdomen
- Course
- Institution
- Book
Summary study book Grays Anatomy For Students of Richard Drake, A. Wayne Vogl (H4 Abdomen) - ISBN: 9780323393041
[Show more]
Connected book
Book Title:
Author(s):
- Edition:
- ISBN:
- Edition:
More summaries for
-
Anatomy-Introduction to retroperitoneal structure, posterior body wall and diaphragm
-
the nervous system lect 2
-
the skull lecture 2
Seller
Follow
emmakemme
Reviews received
Content preview
Conceptual overviewGeneral description
The abdomen is a roughly cylindrical chamber extending from the inferior margin of the thorax to the
superior margin of the pelvis and the lower limb. The inferior thoracic aperture forms the superior
opening to the abdomen and is closed by the diaphragm. Inferiorly, the deep abdominal wall is
continuous with the pelvic wall at the pelvic inlet. Superficially, the inferior margin of the abdominal
wall is the superior margin of the lower limb.
Figure 4.1. Boundaries of the abdomen.
The chamber enclosed by the abdominal wall (abdominal cavity) contains a single large peritoneal
cavity, which freely communicates with the pelvic cavity.
Abdominal viscera are either suspended in the peritoneal cavity by mesenteries or positioned
between the cavity and the musculoskeletal wall.
1
,Figure 4.2. Arrangement of abdominal contents (inferior view).
Abdominal viscera include:
• major elements of the gastrointestinal system—the distal end of the esophagus, stomach,
small and large intestines, liver, pancreas, and gallbladder
• the spleen
• components of the urinary system—kidneys and ureters
• the suprarenal glands
• major neurovascular structures
Functions
Houses and protects major viscera
The abdomen contains major elements of the gastrointestinal system, the spleen, and parts of the
urinary system.
Viscera under the domes of the diaphragm (these domes project superiorly above the costal margin
of the thoracic wall) are much of the liver, gallbladder, stomach, spleen and parts of the colon, and as
a result these abdominal viscera are protected by the thoracic wall. The superior poles of the kidneys
are deep to the lower ribs.
Viscera not under the domes of the diaphragm are supported and protected predominantly by the
muscular walls of the abdomen.
2
, Figure 4.3. The abdomen contains and protects the abdominal viscera.
Breathing
One of the most important roles of the abdominal wall is to assist in breathing:
• During inspiration, it relaxes to accommodate expansion of the thoracic cavity and the
inferior displacement of abdominal viscera during contraction of the diaphragm.
• During expiration, it contracts to assist in elevating the domes of the diaphragm, thus
reducing thoracic volume.
Material can be expelled from the airway by forced expiration using the abdominal muscles, as in
coughing or sneezing.
3
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller emmakemme. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $4.26. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
Can Stuvia be trusted?
4.6 stars on Google & Trustpilot (+1000 reviews)
50155 documents were sold in the last 30 days
Founded in 2010, the go-to place to buy study notes for 14 years now