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AN47.1-14 | Introduction to Abdominal cavity

The abdominal cavity houses the most complex anatomical territory in the human body — the peritoneum, its reflections and recesses; the gastrointestinal tract from the oesophago-gastric junction to the rectum; the solid organs (liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, kidneys, adrenals); the great vessels (aorta, IVC, portal vein); and the autonomic plexuses. Mastery of this topic integrates anatomy with the most common surgical conditions you will manage in India: appendicitis, cholecystitis, peptic ulcer, portal hypertension, bowel obstruction, and renal colic.

Learning Outcomes

Describe the horizontal and vertical tracing of peritoneum; describe boundaries and recesses of the lesser and greater sacs (AN47.1)
Name and identify various peritoneal folds and pouches (AN47.2)
Explain the anatomical basis of ascites and peritonitis (AN47.3)
Explain the anatomical basis of subphrenic abscess (AN47.4)
Describe major viscera — anatomical position, relations, blood supply, nerve supply, lymphatic drainage (AN47.5)
Explain the anatomical basis of key clinical scenarios: splenic notch, vagotomy types, liver biopsy, referred pain in cholecystitis and ureteric colic, lymphatic spread in gastric carcinoma (AN47.6)
Demonstrate boundaries of Calot's triangle and its clinical importance (AN47.7)
Describe the portal vein, IVC, and renal vein — formation, course, relations, tributaries (AN47.8)
Describe the abdominal aorta, coeliac trunk, SMA, IMA, and common iliac artery (AN47.9)
Describe the sites of portosystemic anastomosis and applied anatomy of portal hypertension (AN47.10, AN47.11)
Describe the important nerve plexuses of the posterior abdominal wall (AN47.12)
Describe the diaphragm — attachments, openings, nerve supply, and action (AN47.13)
Explain diaphragmatic hernia — abnormal openings and clinical significance (AN47.14)

PREREQUISITES

Review the anterior abdominal wall, posterior abdominal wall, thorax, and the general plan of the peritoneum from your dissection guide. Knowledge of basic gastrointestinal physiology (from Physiology) and bilirubin metabolism (from Biochemistry) will help contextualise the clinical content.

References

Gray's Anatomy for Students (Drake et al.) — Abdomen chapter (Textbook)
BD Chaurasia's Human Anatomy, Vol. 2 — Abdomen (Textbook)
Clinically Oriented Anatomy (Moore et al.) — Abdomen chapter (Textbook)

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