Details of some specific outcomes where applicable.

In case of some topics in the thorax and abdomen, you may like to know more details. These are listed here. The links in the main document of specific outcomes lead to appropriate bookmarks in this section.

1. Pleura, Pericardium and Peritoneum.

Pleura : Regions of the parietal pleura : costal, mediastinal, diaphragmatic and cervical.

Pericardium : Textbook descriptions of the transverse and oblique sinuses of the pericardium not required.

Peritoneum : An understanding of the concept of greater and lesser sacs is required. Details of the boundaries of the lesser sac or the epiploic foramen not required. While the concept of mesentery should be understood, details of the peritoneal 'reflections' of individual organs not required. The depth required is clearly outlined in the lecture powerpoints and tutorial and lab material.

2. Abdominal viscera

a. Name and identify the three major arteries of the abdominal gut and the organs they supply.
This objective refers to naming of the abdominal organs which develop from the foregut, midgut and hindgut and stating their blood supply as coming from the coeliac, superior mesenteric or the inferior mesenteric arteries.
Individual branches of these major trunks supplying blood to the stomach or the small / large intestines and their courses are a matter of anatomical detail and are not required for this unit.
However, the pattern of blood supply is important as a concept :
    i. That these arteries have an extensive system of anastomoses along the border/s of the gut tube.
   ii. That the final small branches (straight vessels) enter the submucosa where they form an extensive plexus.

b. Describe and identify the salient external and internal features of the stomach and intestines. 
Stomach :
    Fundus, body, pyloric antrum and pyloric canal, cardia and pyloric sphincter, lesser and greater curvatures and the attachments of the         omenta to the curvatures. Internal features : rugae.
     Functional divisions of the stomach : acid secreting (fundus + body) and non-acid secreting (pyloric) parts.
     Nature of sphincters : cardiac sphincter in functional, pyloric sphincter is a thickening of muscle.

Small intestine :
    Salient gross anatomical differences between jejunum and ileum : thickness of the wall, plicae circulares, arterial arcades. Also general direction of the small intestine.

Colon :
    Names of parts pf the colon and their identification.
    Haustration and taeniae coli.

c. Correlate anatomical features of abdominal organs with their functions.
    Rugae and distensibility of the stomach, plicae (and villi) as means of increasing the surface area of the small intestine.

d. Describe and identify the salient features of the kidneys, ureters and other retroperitoneal structures.
As outlined in the lab manual and lecture.

e. Describe the gross anatomy of the liver, biliary apparatus, duodenum and pancreas and identify them.

The anatomy of the liver at a conceptual level is important. This includes the nature of diaphragmatic and visceral surfaces, porta hepatis and the structures therein and hepatic veins.
The details of all borders, anatomical lobes and exact relationships of the neighbouring organs is not required. However, a broad look at the stomach and right kidney areas is recommended!
Functional lobes of the liver and the basis for this division is a concept that should be understood.
Attachments of the lesser omentum and falciform ligament the ligamenta venosum and teres are essential in the developmental perspective.

The standard pattern of the gall bladder and biliary ducts should be understood.

Detailed description of the pancreas and its parts is not essential. Identification, especially in a model is desirable.

Portal vein and portasystemic anastomoses are important conceptually. Anatomical details of the course of the portal vein, relationships in the lesser omentum etc are not.

3. Pelvis

    i. Sexual dimorphism.
Only salient differences between the male and female pelvis are required - those which underscore the importance of the pelvis as the birth canal in the female. These include - greater sciatic notch, acetabulum and its separation from the pubic bone, relative proportions of the promontory and ala of the sacrum, subpubic arch and the shape of sacrum.

   ii. Pelvic dimensions.
All three dimensions in each of the standard planes are not essential. The general shape of the inlet (greatest diameter being transverse in the gynaecoid pelvis) and outlet should be known.
None of the exact numerical figures are essential for this unit.
Conceptually it should be understood that dimensions of the bony pelvis are only approximate indicators of pelvic adequacy. Soft tissue compression, laxity of connective tissues and moulding of the foetal head contribute to normal childbirth.

If you have more questions on details of the specific objectives, feel free to email me! : Click Here.