Gross Anatomy, Embryology, and Imaging Week 3 Objectives
Anatomy
1. Contrast the distinct fascial layers of the anterior abdominal wall.
2. Differentiate between thoracic nerves and lumbar nerves supplying the abdominal
wall.
3. Identify the muscles of the anterior abdominal wall and their functions.
4. Describe the layers that comprise the rectus sheath.
5. Identify the origin and distribution of blood vessels supplying the anterior abdominal
wall.
6. Recognize and describe the location and function of the inguinal ligament, superficial
and deep inguinal rings, and the conjoint tendon.
7.Relate structures of the anterior abdominal wall with respect to adjacent structures.
8. Describe the etiology of the most common clinical cases pertaining to the anterior
abdominal wall.
9. Differentiate the structure and function of the lesser omentum from those of the
greater omentum.
10. Recognize the epiploic foramen in terms of its significance and relationship to
surrounding structures.
11. List the subdivisions of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract from the pharynx to the anal
canal.
12. Identify the parts of the GI tract that have mesentery and those that are
retroperitoneal (primary or secondary).
13. Describe the clinical significance of the peritoneal gutters.
14. Delineate the branches of the celiac trunk, the superior mesenteric artery, and the
inferior mesenteric arteries.
15. Describe the etiology of the most common clinical cases pertaining to the
gastrointestinal system and peritoneum.
16. Summarize the parts of the pancreas with respect with other abdominal structures,
including its blood supply and lymphatic drainage.
17. Explain the parts of the gall bladder including its blood supply and lymphatic
drainage.
18. Describe the biliary duct system from the liver to the duodenum, including its blood
supply.
Gross Anatomy, Embryology, and Imaging Week 3 Objectives
19 Describe the surface anatomy of the liver including the anatomical lobes, ligaments
and blood supply.
20 Discuss the portal vein system in the liver, including the origin and course of all
vessels.
21 Describe the anatomic surfaces of the spleen, including its innervation and blood
supply.
22 Explain the lymphatic drainage in the spleen.
23 Describe the etiology of the most common clinical cases pertaining to the pancreas,
liver and spleen.
24. Identify all bones found in this region and discuss the role of any associated
tuberosities, grooves, etc.
25. Identify the origins of both renal (left and right) and testicular (or ovarian) arteries
and veins.
26. Characterize the components of the fascial and capsular layers surrounding the
kidneys.
27. Describe the structures coursing on the posterior abdominal wall to enter the pelvis.
28. Describe the components of the diaphragm and its apertures.
29. Associate the muscles in the posterior abdominal wall with their attachments.
30. Visualize the structures of the posterior abdominal wall with respect to adjacent
structures.
31. Describe the lumbar plexus: iliohypogastric n., ilioinguinal n., genitofemoral n.,
lateral femoral cutaneous n., femoral n., and obturator nerve, lumbosacral trunk; origin
(segmental derivations), course, structures innervated.
32. Describe the etiology of the most common clinical cases pertaining to the posterior
abdominal wall and kidneys.
Embryology
1. Describe the formation of the excretory units.
2. Identify the sequential events that occur in the development of the definitive kidney.
3.Compare the formation of the urinary bladder in the male and female.
4. Compare the development of the urethra in the male and female.
5. Explain the embryological basis of the most common malformations of the urinary
system.
6. Explain the formation of the primitive gut.
Gross Anatomy, Embryology, and Imaging Week 3 Objectives
7. Explain the formation of the foregut in relation to body formation.
8. Explain the formation of the midgut in relation to body formation.
9. Explain the formation of the hindgut in relation to body formation.
10. Identify the derivatives of the foregut, midgut, hindgut.
11. Describe the orientation of the foregut and its relationship to local mesenchyme.
12. Explain the rotation of the midgut and its final orientation in relation to the adult
positions.
13. Describe the orientation of the hindgut with the division of the cloaca into the
urogenital sinus and hindgut.
14. Explain the formation of the esophagus.
15. Explain the normal development of the stomach.
16. Describe the formation of the intestines.
17. Explain the formation of the liver, pancreas and spleen and their relation to the organs
in the abdominal cavity.
18. Explain the most common congenital malformations of the digestive system.
Lab
1. Identify the major skeletal landmarks of the abdominopelvic cavity.
2. Describe the fascial arrangement of the anterolateral abdominal wall.
3. Identify layers formed by the anterolateral abdominal muscles, including their
contributions in formation of the rectus sheath.
4. Describe the anatomy of the inguinal canal.
5. Describe the anatomy of the various kinds of abdominal wall hernias (indirect and
direct inguinal, umbilical, lumbar).
6. Describe the boundaries of the Inguinal Triangle of Hesselback.
7. Define the contributions of the anterior abdominal wall layers to the coverings of the
spermatic cord and round ligament, and the origin of these coverings as related to the
descent of the gonads.
8. Describe the nervous supply to the anterior abdominal wall.
9. Identify the contents of the spermatic cord.
10. Describe the contributions of the anterior abdominal wall and spermatic cord layers
to the formation of the scrotum.
Gross Anatomy, Embryology, and Imaging Week 3 Objectives
11. Describe the organization of the digestive tract and its parts.
12. Identify the parts of the stomach and describe its spatial relationships to surrounding
organs and mesenteries.
13. Describe the blood supply of the abdominal foregut via branches of the celiac artery,
and the basic pattern of lymphatic drainage in this region.
14. Describe the anatomy of the foregut peritoneal ligaments, omenta and omental
bursa, and their development from the embryological ventral and dorsal mesogastria.
15. Describe the basic anatomy of the large and small intestines, including blood supply
and internal structure.
16. Describe the basic organization of the peritoneum and peritoneal cavity, including
subdivisions, mesenteries, and ligaments.
17. Identify and describe the parts and peritoneal relationships of the pancreas and
duodenum.
18. Describe the pattern of common vasculature of the duodenum and pancreas.
19. Trace the pathway of common entry of the bile ducts and pancreatic ducts into the
2nd part of the duodenum.
20. Identify parts of the liver and describe the relationships of its portal venous, hepatic
arterial, and hepatic venous circulation.
21. Identify the structures passing into and out of the porta hepatis and some of the
most common variations on this pattern.
22. Describe the peritoneal relationships of the liver and gallbladder.
23. Identify the spleen and its peritoneal attachments.
24. Trace the potential collateral blood flow between celiac and superior mesenteric
arterial territories, and between superior and inferior mesenteric arterial territories.
25. Identify muscles that form the posterior abdominal wall.
26. Describe the nerves of the lumbar plexus in terms of their: spatial relationship to the
posterior abdominal wall muscles; distribution to the abdominal wall, genital region, and
lower limb; and categorization into purely cutaneous nerves and those which also
innervate muscles.
27. Describe the branches that arise from the abdominal aorta.
28 Identify the 4 portions of the thoracic diaphragm.
29. Locate the three major passageways through the diaphragm and the structures
traversing them.
30. Identify the arcuate ligaments and the muscle surface they cover.
Gross Anatomy, Embryology, and Imaging Week 3 Objectives
31. Demonstrate the relationships of the kidneys and suprarenal glands to adipose and
fascial coverings, lower ribs and other abdominal organs.
32. Describe the basic external and internal gross anatomy of the kidney and suprarenal
gland.
33. Define the blood supply and drainage of the kidneys and suprarenal glands.
34. Describe the general organization of the urinary system.