Anatomy Atlases: Atlas of Human Anatomy in Cross Section: Section 5. Lower Thorax (Lungs) and Abdomen

Anatomy Atlases(tm) : A digital library of anatomy information

Atlas of Human Anatomy in Cross Section: Section 5. Lower Thorax (Lungs) and Abdomen

Plate 5.14

Ronald A. Bergman, Ph.D., Adel K. Afifi, M.D., Jean J. Jew, M.D., and Paul C. Reimann, B.S.
Peer Review Status: Externally Peer Reviewed

Upper Left Quadrant	Lower Left Quadrant	Lower Right Quadrant	Upper Right Quadrant
1. Lumbar lymph node 2. Middle colic blood vessels 3. Transverse colon 4. Inferior epigastric a. and v. 5. Lumbar ascending vein joining inferior vena cava 6. Ileum 7. Ileal a. and vv. 8. Liver 9. Ureter	10. Ascending colon and sympathetic trunk 11. Intercostal nerve 12. Psoas major m. and genitofemoral nerve, genital br. 13. Lateral (femoral) cutaneous nerve (of thigh) 14. First lumbar nerve (iliohypogastric) 15. Slip of latissimus dorsi m. and abdominal oblique mm., origin from thoracolumbar fascia 16. Quadratus lumborum m., origin from transverse process and thoracolumbar fascia 17. Iliocostalis m. 18. Longissimus m. 19. Posterior lumbar fascia 20. Multifidus m. 21. Interspinalis m. 22. Spinous process, L4	23. Internal vertebral venous plexus 24. Nerve roots, cauda equina in theca 25. Inferior articular process, L3 26. Zygapophyseal joint 27. Superior articular process, L4 28. Erector spinae mm., aponeurosis of origin 29. Transverse process, L4 30. Third and fourth lumbar nerves 31. Psoas fascia 32. Sympathetic trunk 33. Thoracolumbar fascia and lumbar triangle 34. Descending colon and genitofemoral nerve 35. Aponeurosis m. transversus abdominis 36. Transversus abdominis m. arising from thoracolumbar fascia 37. Latissimus dorsi m. interdigitation 38. Intercostal nerve 39. Transversus abdominis m. 40. Internal abdominal oblique m. 41. External abdominal oblique m. 42. Dermis of skin 43. Ureter	44. Jejunal a. and v. 45. Jejunum 46. Transverse colon 47. Right colic a. and v. 48. Gonadal a. and v. 49. Lymph node 50. Aorta 51. Ileal a. and v. 52. Inferior epigastric a. 53. Rectus sheath, superficial layer 54. Rectus abdominis m. 55. Rectus sheath, deep layer 56. Linea alba

This section passes through the upper half of the fourth lumbar vertebra. The section crosses the transverse (29) and the superior articular process of L4 (27) and the inferior articular process of L3 (25).

On the left side, the transverse colon and its sacculations (46) can be seen. The colon can be identified by its size and the absence of mucosal folds and villi; the inner surface is smooth. The transverse colon joins the descending colon (34), and in the same region five cross sections of jejunum can be identified. Jejunal arteries and veins can be seen (44). The blood vessels found in this region arise from the superior mesenteric arteries and veins. The left ureter (43) and the left gonadal artery and vein (48) are identified.

In the middle of the section, a large sacculation of the transverse colon (3), middle colic arteries and veins (2), and lumbar Iymph nodes (1) are identified. The abdominal aorta (50) and inferior vena cave are seen before their bifurcation into iliac vessels, which are seen in the next section. An ascending lumbar vein (5) is seen.

On the right side, coils of ileum (6) are cut. Their mesentery contains ileal arteries and veins (7, 51), which are also branches of the superior mesenteric artery. The inferior edge of the right lobe of the liver (8) is seen. The liver makes its last appearance in this section. The ascending colon (10) is adjacent to the ileum (6), liver (8), and psoas major muscle (12). The right ureter (9) is seen.

Several important nerves are also seen: an intercostal nerve (38) between transversus abdominis (39) and internal oblique (40) muscles, the sympathetic trunk (10, 32), third and fourth lumbar nerves (30), the cauda equina nerve roots (24), iliohypogastric nerve (14), lateral (femoral) cutaneous nerve (of thigh) (13), and the genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve (12).

Next Page | Previous Page | Section Top | Title Page

Anatomy Atlases is curated by Michael P. D'Alessandro, M.D. and Ronald A. Bergman, Ph.D.

Please send us comments by filling out our Comment Form.

"Anatomy Atlases", the Anatomy Atlases logo, and "A digital library of anatomy information" are all Trademarks of Michael P. D'Alessandro, M.D.

Anatomy Atlases is funded in whole by Michael P. D'Alessandro, M.D. Advertising is not accepted.

Your personal information remains confidential and is not sold, leased, or given to any third party be they reliable or not.

The information contained in Anatomy Atlases is not a substitute for the medical care and advice of your physician. There may be variations in treatment that your physician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.

URL: http://www.anatomyatlases.org/