Medical Lad

Internal structure of the kidneys seen on a dissected specimen INTRODUCTION The closely packed structure and numerous functions of the kidney illustrate the beautiful workmanship of our creator. It not only applies to the kidney but to each and every part of our body. Synonyms The kidney are also called renes from which we have the derivative renal and nephros from which we have the terms nephron, nephritis, etc Definition Kidneys are a pair of excretory organs located on the posterior abdominal wall, one on each side of the vertebral column, behind the peritoneum. They remove waste products of metabolism and excess of water and salts from the blood, and maintain its pH. Location Location of the kidneys The kidneys occupy the epigastric, hypochondriac. lumbar and umbilical regions. Vertically they extend from the upper border of twelfth thoracic vertebra to the center of the body of third lumbar vertebra. The right kidney is slight...

INTRODUCTION Abdominal cavity is the largest cavity. It encloses the peritoneal cavity between its parietal and visceral layers. Parietal layer clings to the wall of parieties while visceral layer is intimately adherent to viscera concerned. So their vascular supply and nerve supply are same as the parieties and viscera respectively. There are very lengthy organs in the abdominal cavity. These had to be disciplined with limited movements for proper functioning of the gut in particular and the body in general. Infections involving the parietal peritoneum impart protective "board-like rigidity" to the abdominal wall. Referred pain from the viscera to a dístant area is due to somatic and sympathetic nerves reaching the same spinal segment. NINE REGIONS OF ABDOMEN  For the purpose of describing the location of viscera, the abdomen is divided into nine regions by four imaginary planes, two horizontal and two vertical. The horizontal planes are the transpyloric and transtuber- cul...

Ureter Introduction The ureters are a pair of narrow, thick-walled muscular tubes which convey urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder.            They lie deep to the peritoneum, closely applied to the posterior abdominal wall in the upper part, and to the lateral pelvic wall in the lower part. DIMENSIONS  Each ureter is about 25 cm (10 inches) long, of which the upper half (5 inches) lies in the abdomen, and the lower half (5 inches) in the pelvis. It measures about 3 mm in diameter, but it is slightly constricted at five places.  Course General course of the ureter in the pelvis The ureter begins within the renal sinus as a funnel- shaped dilatation, called the renal pelvis. The pelvis issues from the hilus of the kidney, descends along its medial margin, or partly behind it. Gradually it narrows till the lower end of the kidney where it becomes the ureter proper.        The ureter ...

Large Intestine Features The large intestine extends from the ileocaecal junction to the anus. It is about blind 1.5 m long, and is divided into the caecum (Latin blind pouch), the ascending colon, right colic flexure, the transverse colon, left colic flexure, the descending colon, the sigmoid colon, the rectum and the anal canal. In the angle between the caecum and the terminal part of the ileum, there is a narrow diverticulum called the vermiform appendix (Latin attachment).  The general structure of large intestine is considered first followed by its parts one by one. The structure of the large intestine is adapted for storage of matter reaching it from the small intestines, and for absorption of fluid and solutes from it. The epithelium is absorptive (columnar), but villi are absent. Adequate lubrication for passage of its contents is provided by numerous goblet cells scattered in the crypts as well as on the surface of the mucous membrane. The presence of numerou...

Liver marked as red organ Features  The liver is A large and solid gland situated in the right upper quadrant of the abdominal cavity. In the living subject, the liver is reddish brown in colour, soft in consistency, and very friable. It weighs about 1600 g in males and about 1300 g in females. Location   Location of liver The liver occupies the whole of the right hypo- chondrium, the greater part of the epigastrium, and extends into the left hypochondrium reaching up to the left lateral line. From the above it will be obvious that most of the liver is covered by ribs and costal cartilages, except in the upper part of the epigastrium where it is in contact with the anterior abdominal wall. The liver is the largest gland in the body. It secretes bile and performs various other metabolic functions. The liver is also called the 'hepar' from which we have the adjective 'hepatic' applied to many structures connected with the organ. EXTERNAL FEATURES ...

Pancreas marked as red organ Features The pancreas is a gland that partly exocrine and partly endocrine. The exocrine part secretes the digestive pancreatic juice; and the endocrine part secretes hormones, e.g. insulin. It is soft, lobulated and elongated organ. Location Location and parts of pancreas The pancreas lies more or less transversely across the posterior abdominal wall, at the level of first and second lumbar vertebrae.  Size and Shape  It is J-shaped or retort-shaped, set obliquely. The bowl of the retort represents its head, and the stem of the retort, its neck, body and tail. It is about 15-20 cm long, 2.5-3.8 cm broad and 1.2-1.8 cm thick and weighs about 90 g.The pancreas is divided (from right to left) into head, neck, body and the tail. The head is enlarged and lies within the concavity of the duodenum. The tail reaches the hilum of the spleen. The entire organ lies posterior to the stomach separated from it by the lesser sac....