Abdominopelvic Region Blog #4

Stomach
The stomach is an organ designed for storage of ingested food.  This organ has the ability to expand to hold up to 2-3 L of food. There is mechanical and chemical digestion occurring in the stomach. The primary function of the stomach is enzymatic digestion.  Gastric juice is the chemical that converts food into chyme to enter the duodenum.  The stomach consists of two curvatures, the lesser curvature and the greater curvature.   The arterial supply to the stomach comes from celiac trunk. 

Ulcers of the stomach
Most ulcers formed in the stomach are caused by a bacterium, Helicobacter Pylori. The bacteria disrupts the mucous layer of the stomach, which exposes the stomach to the effects of gastric juice and pepsin.  Erosion of the gastric arteries withing the stomach can cause bleeding.  Acid is secreted by the parietal cells of the stomach and that is controlled primarily by the vagus.  Sometimes, a vagotomy can be performed on individuals with recurring ulcers.

Spermatic Cord
The spermatic cord is what suspends the testes in the scrotum.  It begins at the deep inguinal ring lateral to the inferior epigastric vessels and exits the superficial inguinal ring.  There are three fascias that cover the spermatic cord. They are the internal spermatic fascia, cremasteric fascia, and external spermatic fascia.  Within the cremasteric fascia, there are loops of the cremaster muscle.  When the testes are exposed to cold temperatures, the cremaster muscle draws the testes superiorly in the scrotum. In warm temperatures, the testes descend to the deep portions of the scrotum.  Spermatogenesis occurs in the testes, and this reflexive response by the cremaster muscle is an attempt to regulate the environment of the testes.  The spermatic cord contains the ductus deferens, testicular artery, artery of the ductus deferens, and vestige of processus vaginalis. 

Inguinal Hernias
Inguinal hernias account for 75% of abdominal hernias.  An inguinal hernia is defined as, "a protrusion of parietal peritoneum and viscera, such as the small intestine, through a normal or abnormal opening from the cavity in which they belong." (Moore 212)  Most hernias are indirect hernias. In order to palpitate an inguinal hernia, the palmer surface of the middle finger is placed over the inquinal triangle and the person is asked to cough or bear down.  A direct hernia will yield a sudden impulse when the person coughs or bears down. 



Spleen
The spleen is found in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen.  The inferior thoracic cage is what protects the spleen.  During embryonic development the spleen is involved in the formation of blood, however after birth the spleen is involved in the identifying, removing and destroying red blood cells.  The spleen is often known as the reservoir for red blood cells.  This organ is not considered a vital organ, which means that life can be sustained without this organ.  The spleen is usually 12 cm long and about 7 cm wide.  Blood is supplied to the spleen by the splenic artery, and the spleen is drained by the splenic vein. 

Splenectomy from ruptured spleen
Oftentimes, the spleen is removed when it ruptures to prevent the person from bleeding to death.  The spleen is the most frequently injured organ in the abdomen.  When the ribs are fractured, it makes the spleen vulnurable to damage.  A total splenectomy can make a person more suceptible to some bacterial infections.  If part of the spleen is removed it is often followed by regeneration.