The pharynx is the crossroads of respiration, speech, and swallowing. During respiration, the pharynx is an active conduit for the passage of air from the nasopharynx to the laryngeal aditus. During speech, the pharynx functions as a resonating chamber, changing…
Physiology Precipitation of calcareous substances requires an alkaline medium and high local concentrations of ionic calcium. The term metastatic calcification refers to deposition of calcium salts in normal tissues secondary to hypercalcemia and an elevated pH. Although the stomach and…
Even with the widespread availability of cross-sectional imaging studies, abdominal radiography remains a common imaging test in modern radiology practice. Although computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and ultrasound provide more information about acute abdominal conditions, abdominal radiographs (previously…
From the 1970s to 1990s, the abdominal radiograph traditionally served as the initial radiologic means of evaluating patients with suspected abdominal pathology. Since the early 2000s, however, computed tomography (CT) has become the major imaging procedure in patients with acute…
Anatomic variants ◼ Accessory spleen: very common. Typically near spleen. Can be intrapancreatic. Can be mistaken for a mass. Should look like spleen on all imaging sequences. ◼ Duplicated renal collecting system: prone to obstruct Has surgical implications. ◼ Prominent…
Anatomy, embryology, pathophysiology ◼ Injuries depend upon patient composition, blunt versus penetrating injury, mechanism of injury, and strength of forces. ◼ Blunt trauma etiologies: motor vehicle crash, falls, assault, and sports resulting in deceleration/shear forces, crushing forces, and increased intraabdominal…
Techniques Plain radiography Plain radiographs are often used in the postoperative abdomen to evaluate lines and tubes, bowel gas pattern, retained foreign bodies, and the presence of pneumoperitoneum. Fluoroscopy Fluoroscopic upper gastrointestinal (GI) examination with water-soluble or barium enteric contrast…
Anatomy, embryology, pathophysiology ◼ The pelvic floor consists of the levator ani, the pelvic sphincters, and fascia that support the rectum, bladder and urethra, as well as the vagina, cervix, and uterus in females and the prostate in males. ◼…
Anatomy, embryology, pathophysiology ◼ After the sixth week of gestation, in the absence of a Y chromosome, the paired Müllerian (paramesonephric) ducts begin to form in female neonates. ◼ Over the ensuing weeks, the two Müllerian ducts fuse with a…
Anatomy, embryology, pathophysiology Please see Chapter 33 . Imaging techniques and protocols Please see Chapter 33 . Specific disease processes A purely solid adnexal lesion is usually considered benign, with a few exceptions. This chapter provides a differential for benign…