Abdominal Part of the Oesophagus The abdominal part of the oesophagus is 1–2.5 cm long, lies to the left of the midline and is slightly broader at the cardiac orifice than at the oesophageal hiatus, which lies at the level…
The peritoneum is the largest serous membrane in the body. In males the peritoneum forms a closed sac, but in females it is open at the abdominal ostia of the uterine tubes. Its smooth appearance is unremarkable, but its conformation…
Definitions, Boundaries and Contents The posterior abdominal wall has no agreed uniform definition. It is the posterior boundary of the abdominal cavity, and in common with the anterior and lateral abdominal walls, it is composed of several layers (skin, superficial…
The anterior abdominal wall constitutes a curved hexagonal area defined superiorly by the costal arches (margins) and xiphisternal junction, laterally by the mid-axillary line, and inferiorly by an imaginary line running along the iliac crests, inguinal ligament and pubic symphysis.…
General Structure and Function of the Abdominopelvic Cavity Although often considered separately, the abdomen and pelvis form the largest continuous visceral cavity in the body. Together, they provide multiple vital functions including: housing and protection of the digestive and urinary…
Invasive coronary angiography has long been used to map coronary arterial anatomy and associated disease. In this procedure, a contrast agent is instilled into a coronary artery via a catheter inserted into the opening (ostium) of that artery within an…
Breast cancer is a common disease, particularly in postmenopausal women ( ). Each year, in the United Kingdom, there are approximately 40,000 new cases diagnosed and 14,000 deaths. Male breast cancers constitute up to 1% of all mammary malignancies and…
Major Blood Vessels The major blood vessels of the thorax include the pulmonary trunk, the thoracic aorta and its branches, and the superior and inferior venae cavae and their tributaries ( Fig. 58.1 ). Arteries Pulmonary trunk The pulmonary trunk…
Pericardium The pericardium contains the heart and the juxtacardiac parts of its great vessels ( Fig. 57.1 ). It consists of two parts, the fibrous and the serous pericardia, arranged in three layers with a normal combined thickness of 1–2…
The mediastinum is the visceral compartment between the two lungs and includes the mediastinal part of the parietal pleura. It is commonly defined as the region between the two pleural sacs, bounded laterally by the mediastinal parietal pleura, anteriorly by…