Organ/Part of Organ | Location/Description | Notes |
---|---|---|
adrenal gland | endocrine gland located superomedial to the kidney; right adrenal gland is somewhat triangular in shape, left is semilunar in shape | adrenal cortex manufactures corticosteroids; adrenal medulla manufactures epinephrine and norepinephrine; adrenal medulla receives preganglionic sympathetic innervation from the greater thoracic splanchnic n.; also known as: suprarenal gland |
angular notch of the stomach | a sharp indentation located about 2/3 of the way down the lesser curvature of the stomach | angular notch marks the transition from body of stomach to pylorus |
appendix, vermiform | terminal portion of the cecum which has a small dead-end lumen | vermiform appendix is attached to the posteroinferior surface of the cecum; it is usually located behind the cecum in the right iliac fossa; pain from the appendix projects to McBurney's point on anterior abdominal wall (1/3rd distance along and imaginary line from the anterior superior iliac spine to the umbilicus); it has a complete peritoneal covering and a small mesentery (mesoappendix) |
appendix epiploica | fat-filled pendants of peritoneum projecting from the visceral peritoneum on the surface of the large intestine | there are many appendices epiploices on the large intestine (except the rectum) and none on the small intestine; also known as: omental appendage |
ascending colon | part of the large intestine that is continuous with the cecum proximally and the transverse colon at the right colic (hepatic) flexure | ascending colon is retroperitoneal |
bare area of the liver | the part of the diaphragmatic surface of the liver that is not covered by visceral peritoneum | bare area is between the anterior and posterior laminae of the coronary ligament and is in contact with the diaphragm |
bile duct, common | part of the biliary tree that is formed by the union of the cystic and common hepatic ducts; located in the hepatoduodenal ligament | common bile duct drains into the hepatopancreatic ampulla and greater duodenal papilla in company with the main pancreatic duct |
calyx, minor | portion of the urinary collecting system within the kidney that drains one renal papilla | one renal papilla projects into the lumen of one minor calyx; several minor calyces unite to form a major calyx |
calyx, major | portion of the urinary collecting system within the kidney that drains several minor calyces | major calyx collects urine from several renal papillae; all major calyces unite to form the renal pelvis |
cardia of the stomach | part of the stomach surrounding the opening of the esophagus | esophagus empties into the stomach at this location; also known as: cardiac region of the stomach |
caudate lobe | tail-like projection of the liver | caudate lobe arises from the posterior aspect of liver to the left of the inferior vena cava; functionally it is part of both the right and left lobes of liver |
cecum | first part of the large intestine which is located in the right lower quadrant | cecum is continuous with the ileum (small intestine) at the ileocecal valve; it is continuous with the ascending colon distally; it is intraperitoneal but lacks a mesentery; the vermiform appendix is attached to its posteroinferior surface |
coronary ligament | peritoneum connecting the liver to the inferior surface of the diaphragm | it has three parts which together form a complete circle: right triangular ligament, left triangular ligament, falciform ligament; area between the anterior and posterior laminae of the coronary ligament is called the bare area of the liver |
cystic duct | duct of the gallbladder | cystic duct joins with the common hepatic duct to form the common bile duct; cystic duct both fills and drains the gallbladder |
descending colon | part of the large intestine that is continuous with the transverse colon at the left colic (splenic) flexure and the sigmoid colon at the pelvic brim | descending colon is retroperitoneal |
ductus deferens | duct of the testis | ductus deferens is continuous with the tail of the epididymis; it passes through the superficial inguinal ring, inguinal canal and deep inguinal ring to reach the posteroinferior surface of the bladder where it joins with the duct of the seminal vesicle to form the ejaculatory duct |
duodenojejunal junction | part of the small intestine where the duodenum is continuous with the jejunum | duodenojejunal junction is located in the left upper quadrant; it is suspended by the suspensory muscle (ligament) of the duodenum; the inferior mesenteric v. passes to left side of the duodenojejunal junction |
duodenum | proximal segment of the small intestine | C-shaped; the duodenum has 4 parts: 1st or superior, 2nd or descending, 3rd or transverse, 4th or ascending |
epididymis | beginning of the duct system of the testis | the head of the epididymis is located on the superior surface of the testis and receives sperm from the efferent ductules; the body of the epididymis lies posterolateral to the testis and is separated from the testis by the sinus of the epididymis; the tail of the epididymis is located inferiorly and is continuous with the ductus deferens; the ductus deferens ascends to pass through the abdominal wall via the inguinal canal |
epiploic foramen | passageway between the greater peritoneal sac and the lesser peritoneal sac | located posterior to the hepatoduodenal ligament; also known as: omental foramen |
esophagus | the portion of the gastrointestinal tract between the pharynx and the stomach | connects: superiorly with laryngopharynx at lower border of cricoid cartilage; inferiorly it passes through diaphragm at the T10 vertebral level to reach the stomach; the upper 1/3 is skeletal muscle innervated by the recurrent laryngeal, the lower 2/3rds is smooth muscle innervated by the vagus nn. via the esophageal plexus |
falciform ligament | sickle-shaped fold of peritoneum connecting the liver to the umbilicus | falciform ligament contains the round ligament of the liver (ligament teres hepatis); it is a remnant of the ventral mesogastrium of the embryo |
gallbladder | diverticulum of the biliary tract that hangs below the liver between the right and quadrate lobes | located in the right upper quadrant; gallbladder is connected to the common bile duct via the cystic duct; it both stores and concentrates bile; pain from the gallbladder may be referred to the right shoulder |
gallbladder, body of | the main part of the gallbladder | body of the gallbladder lies in the bed of the gallbladder, between the right and quadrate lobes of the liver |
gallbladder, fundus of | expanded inferior part of the gallbladder | fundus of the gallbladder is located near the inner surface of the anterior abdominal wall at the junction of the right 9th costal cartilage and the right semilunar line; it normally hangs below the margin of the liver |
gallbladder, neck of | constricted superior part of the gallbladder | neck of the gallbladder is the portion that connects the body of the gallbladder to the cystic duct; it contains a spiral fold |
gastric folds | folds of the mucosal lining of the stomach | gastric folds are ridges that generally run from the cardia of the stomach toward the pyloris along the lesser curvature; also known as: rugae |
gastrocolic ligament | peritoneum connecting the greater curvature of the stomach with the transverse colon | part of the greater omentum; derived from the dorsal mesogastrium in the embryo |
gastrolienal ligament | peritoneum connecting the greater curvature of stomach with the hilum of the spleen | part of the greater omentum; derived from the dorsal mesogastrium in the embryo; also known as: gastrosplenic ligament |
gastrophrenic ligament | peritoneum connecting the fundus of the stomach to the left side of the diaphragm above the spleen | part of the greater omentum; derived from the dorsal mesogastrium in the embryo |
gastrosplenic ligament | peritoneum connecting the greater curvature of stomach with the hilum of the spleen | part of the greater omentum; derived from the dorsal mesogastrium in the embryo; also known as: gastrolienal ligament |
greater duodenal papilla | nipple-like projection into the 2nd part of the duodenum | greater duodenal papilla is the site of drainage of the common bile duct and main pancreatic duct |
greater omentum | apron-like specialization of peritoneum attaching along the greater curvature of the stomach | subdivisions: gastrophrenic ligament, gastrosplenic ligament, gastrocolic ligament, omental apron |
greater peritoneal sac | the portion of the peritoneal cavity that is not located posterior to the stomach | the lesser peritoneal sac is the only part of the peritoneal cavity that is not part of the greater peritoneal sac |
haustra | multiple pouches in the wall of the large intestine | haustra form where the longitudinal muscle layer of the wall of the large intestine is deficient; also known as: sacculations |
hepatic duct, common | duct formed by the joining of the of right and left hepatic ducts | common hepatic duct unites with the cystic duct to form the common bile duct |
hepatic duct, left | duct that drains the left lobe of the liver, quadrate lobe and part of the caudate lobe of the liver | left hepatic duct joins with right hepatic duct to form the common hepatic duct |
hepatic duct, right | duct that drains the right lobe of the liver and part of the caudate lobe of the liver | right hepatic duct joins with the left hepatic duct to form the common hepatic duct |
hepatic flexure | junction of the ascending colon and the transverse colon | hepatic flexure lies anterior to the lower part of the right kidney and inferior to the right lobe of the liver; also known as: right colic flexure |
hepatoduodenal ligament | part of the lesser omentum connecting the liver to the 1st part of duodenum | hepatoduodenal ligament contains the common bile duct, proper hepatic a. and portal v.; it forms the anterior wall of the omental (epiploic) foramen |
hepatogastric ligament | part of the lesser omentum connecting the liver to the lesser curvature of the stomach | hepatogastric ligament forms the anterior wall of the lesser peritoneal sac |
hepatopancreatic ampulla | union of the common bile duct and the main pancreatic duct | hepatopancreatic ampulla opens onto the greater duodenal papilla in the 2nd part of the duodenum |
ileocecal junction | point at which the ileum joins the cecum | ileocecal valve moderates the flow of intestinal contents from the ileum into the cecum |
ileocecal valve | a valve that marks the ileocecal junction | ileocecal valve is incompetent, not a sphincter; it has superior and inferior lips |
ileum | most distal part of the small intestine | ileum is continuous with the jejunum proximally and terminates at ileocecal junction distally; it is approximately 12 feet in length; it has a thinner wall than the jejunum, lower plicae circulares than the jejunum, more fat in its mesentery than does the jejunum, more complex arterial arcades than the jejunum, shorter arteriae recta than the jejunum |
intestine, large | part of the intestinal tract distal to the small intestine | large intestine is approximately 5 feet long; parts of the large intestine are: cecum, ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, sigmoid colon, rectum; also known as: colon or large bowel |
intestine, small | part of the small intestine between the stomach proximally and the large intestine distally | small intestine is approximately 21 feet long; parts of the small intestine are: duodenum (1 foot long, mostly retroperitoneal); jejunum (8 feet long); ileum (12 feet long) |
jejunum | part of the small intestine that is continuous with the duodenum proximally (at the duodenojejunal junction) and the ileum distally (no obvious landmark for its termination) | jejunum is approximately 8 feet in length; wall of the jejunum is thicker than the wall of the ileum; plicae circulares (circular folds) are more pronounced in the jejunum than in the ileum; mesentery of the jejunum has less fat than that of the ileum; arterial arcades of the jejunum are more simple than those of the ileum; arteriae recta are longer in the jejunum than they are in the ileum |
kidney | excretory organ of the urinary tract located on the posterior abdominal wall | retroperitoneal; right kidney is lower than the left - its superior pole reaches the 12th rib; superior pole of the left kidney reaches as high as the 11th rib; kidneys develop from the intermediate mesoderm in the embryo |
lateral inguinal fossa | shallow depression on the inner aspect of the abdominal wall lateral to the lateral umbilical fold | an indirect inguinal hernia passes through the anterior abdominal wall in this fossa |
lateral umbilical fold | peritoneal fold overlying the inferior epigastric vessels | an indirect inguinal hernia passes through the anterior abdominal wall lateral to this fold; a direct inguinal hernia passes through the anterior abdominal wall medial to this fold |
left colic flexure | junction of the transverse colon and descending colon | left colic flexure lies anterior to the left kidney and inferior to the spleen; also known as: splenic flexure |
lesser duodenal papilla | nipple-like projection into the 2nd part of the duodenum superior to the greater duodenal ampulla | lesser duodenal papilla is the site of drainage of the accessory pancreatic duct |
lesser omentum | peritoneum stretching between the lesser curvature of the stomach and the visceral surface of the liver | subdivisions of the lesser omentum are the heptogastric and hepatoduodenal ligaments; lesser peritoneal sac (omental bursa) lies posterior to the lesser omentum and stomach |
lesser peritoneal sac | part of the peritoneal cavity located posterior to the stomach and lesser omentum | lesser peritoneal sac is continuous with the greater peritoneal sac at the omental (epiploic) foramen; also known as: omental bursa |
lienorenal ligament | peritoneum that attaches the spleen to the posterior abdominal wall over the left kidney | lienorenal ligament develops from the dorsal mesogastrium of the embryo; also known as: splenorenal ligament |
ligamentum teres hepatis | cord-like ligament that lies within the free margin of the falciform ligament | ligamentum teres hepatis courses from the liver to the umbilicus; it is the remnant of the umbilical v.; also known as: round ligament of liver |
ligamentum venosum | cord-like ligament that lies within the attachment of the hepatogastric ligament to the liver, between the caudate lobe and the left lobe | ligamentum venosum is a remnant of the obliterated ductus venosus which shunted oxygenated blood from the placenta around the liver to the inferior vena cava during development |
liver | largest digestive organ in the body, located mostly in the right upper quadrant | the liver consists of 4 anatomical lobes: left, right, quadrate and caudate; it lies inferior to the diaphragm and rises as high as the 5th rib on the right side; liver functions include: synthesis, storage and release of glycogen and vitamins; synthesis of blood proteins; phagocytosis of old red blood cells; removal of toxic substances |
medial inguinal fossa | shallow depression on the inner aspect of the abdominal wall between the medial inguinal fold and the lateral umbilical fold | a direct inguinal hernia passes through the anterior abdominal wall in this fossa; it passes through a subdivision called the inguinal triangle |
medial umbilical fold | peritoneal fold overlying the medial umbilical ligament | medial umbilical ligament is the obliterated umbilical a. |
median umbilical fold | peritoneal fold overlying the median umbilical ligament (remnant of urachus) | median umbilical ligament is the remnant of the urachus |
mesentery | peritoneum connecting jejunum & ileum to posterior abdominal wall | also known as: mesentery of small intestine |
mesoappendix | peritoneum connecting the vermiform appendix to the mesentery of the small intestine | the cecum is retroperitoneal, but the appendix has its own mesentery which contains its blood supply - a clinically relevant detail during appendectomy |
omental appendage | fat-filled pendants of peritoneum projecting from the visceral peritoneum on the surface of the large intestine | there are many omental appendages on the large intestine (except the rectum) and none on the small intestine; also known as: appendix epiploica |
omental apron | part of the greater omentum that hangs inferiorly from the transverse colon | omental apron is derived from the dorsal mesogastrium during development |
omental bursa | part of the peritoneal cavity located posterior to the stomach and lesser omentum | omental bursa is continuous with the greater peritoneal sac at the omental (epiploic) foramen; also known as: lesser peritoneal sac |
omental foramen | passageway between the greater peritoneal sac and the lesser peritoneal sac | located posterior to the hepatoduodenal ligament; also known as: epiploic foramen |
pancreas | exocrine and endocrine gland located posterior to the stomach on the posterior abdominal wall | retroperitoneal; pancreas functions as a digestive and an endocrine (insulin production) gland; main pancreatic duct drains the exocrine secretions of the tail, body and lower part of the head to the greater duodenal papilla within the 2nd part of the duodenum; accessory pancreatic duct drains the exocrine secretions of the upper body and part of the head to the lesser duodenal papilla |
pancreas, body of | part of the pancreas between the head and tail | body of pancreas stretches to the left from the neck of the pancreas; splenic a. lies on the superior border of the body; splenic v. lies posterior to the body |
pancreas, head of | part of the pancreas located to the right, within the curvature of the duodenum | the pancreatic arterial arcades are formed on the anterior and posterior surfaces of the head of the pancreas |
pancreas, neck of | the junction between the head and the body of the pancreas | the neck of the pancreas is a constricted region to the left of the head; superior mesenteric a. arises from the abdominal aorta posterior to the neck of the pancreas |
pancreas, tail of | part of the pancreas that forms the tapered left end of the organ | tail of the pancreas extends into the splenorenal (lienorenal) ligament toward the hilum of the spleen |
pancreas, uncinate process of | lowest part of the head of the pancreas | the uncinate process lies posterior to the superior mesenteric vessels |
pancreatic duct, accessory | drains part of the head of the pancreas | accessory pancreatic ducts opens onto the lesser duodenal papilla |
pancreatic duct, main | drains the tail, body and part of the head of the pancreas | main pancreatic duct unites with the common bile duct at the hepatopancreatic ampulla; it drains onto the greater duodenal papilla |
pararenal fat | extraperitoneal fat surrounding the kidney | pararenal fat is located external to the renal fascia |
perirenal fat | extraperitoneal fat surrounding the kidney | perirenal fat is located within the renal fascia; it is also located within the renal sinus surrounding the calyces and blood vessels |
peritoneum | serous membrane lining the peritoneal cavity | visceral peritoneum lies on the surfaces of the abdominal and pelvic organs; parietal peritoneum lines the inner surfaces of the walls of the abdominopelvic cavity |
peritoneum, parietal | serous membrane lining the inner surfaces of the walls of the abdominopelvic cavity | peritoneum, pleura and pericardium are all serous membranes that formed from the same layer of tissue (splanchnic mesoderm) in the embryo |
peritoneum, visceral | serous membrane lying on the surfaces of the abdominal and pelvic organs | visceral peritoneum is formed from the splanchnic mesoderm in the embryo |
porta hepatis | region of the visceral surface of the liver where hepatic ducts, hepatic aa. & portal v. enter/leave | porta hepatis is equivalent to the hilum of the spleen or lung |
pylorus of the stomach | constricted distal part of the stomach to the right of the angular notch | pyloris contains the pyloric antrum and the pyloric sphincter |
quadrate lobe | part of liver between the bed of the gallbladder and the round ligament of the liver | quadrate lobe has the external appearance of being part of the right lobe, but it is functionally part of the left lobe |
renal columns | columns of tissue that are histologically identical to tissue found in the renal cortex, but which are located in the medulla between the renal pyramids | interlobar arteries pass from the renal sinus to the renal cortex within the renal columns |
renal cortex | outer layer of kidney | renal cortex contains the majority of the glomeruli |
renal fascia | a fascial pouch derived from extraperitoneal connective tissue that contains the kidneys, the suprarenal glands, the renal vessels and perirenal fat | renal fascia of the right and left sides is joined across the midline in close relationship to the renal aa. and vv.; renal fascia encapsulates the inferior vena cava and aorta at the level of origin of the renal vessels; do not confuse renal fascia with the renal capsule - the renal capsule is histologically part of the kidney and there is no fat between it and the kidney |
renal hilum | opening on medial margin of the kidney leading into the renal sinus | the renal vessels enter/leave the kidney at the hilum; the renal pelvis leaves the kidney at the hilum |
renal medulla | inner layer of the kidney | renal medulla contains most of the tubules of the kidney organized as renal pyramids; renal columns consist of cortex-like tissue arranged between the pyramids in the renal medulla |
renal papilla | tip of renal pyramid projecting into a minor calyx | several minor calyces combine to form a major calyx; all of the major calyces in the kidney unite to form the renal pelvis |
renal pelvis | large collecting duct for urine that is formed by the union of the major calyces | renal pelvis is the dilated origin of the ureter; it is located at the renal hilum and is surrounded by the renal sinus |
renal pyramid | cone-shaped arrangement of tubules in the renal medulla | tip of the renal pyramid (papilla) projects into a minor calyx |
renal sinus | hollowed out area on the medial margin of the kidney | renal sinus opens at the renal hilum; it contains the renal aa. and vv., major calyces and renal pelvis, perirenal fat |
right colic flexure | junction of the ascending colon and the transverse colon | right colic flexure lies anterior to the lower part of the right kidney and inferior to the right lobe of the liver; also known as: hepatic flexure |
round ligament of the liver | cord-like ligament that lies within the free margin of the falciform ligament | round ligament of the liver courses from the liver to the umbilicus; it is the remnant of the umbilical v.; also known as: ligamentum teres hepatis |
round ligament of the uterus | a connective tissue band that attaches to the inner aspect of the labium majus and the uterus | round ligament of the uterus traverses the superficial inguinal ring, inguinal canal and deep inguinal ring to reach the lateral surface of the uterus below the uterine tube; it is a remnant of the gubernaculum; it is continuous with the ovarian ligament; it holds the fundus of the uterus forward; also known as: ligamentum teres uteri |
rugae of the stomach | folds of the mucosal lining of the stomach | rugae are ridges that generally run from the cardia of the stomach toward the pyloris along the lesser curvature; also known as: gastric folds |
scrotal ligament | band of connective tissue that attaches the inferior end of the testis to the inner aspect of the scrotal sac | scrotal ligament is the remnant of the gubernaculum testis |
scrotum | sac of hair-covered skin containing the testis | in the scrotum the fatty and membranous layers of the superficial fascia (as seen in the lower abdominal wall) are fused to form the tunica dartos scroti |
sigmoid colon | part of the distal large intestine located within the lower left quadrant | sigmoid colon is continuous proximally with the descending colon at the left pelvic brim; it is continuous distally with the rectum at the level of the 3rd sacral vertebra; it is suspended from posterior abdominal wall by the sigmoid mesocolon |
sigmoid mesocolon | peritoneum connecting the sigmoid colon to posterior abdominal wall | branches of the inferior mesenteric a. approach the sigmoid colon within the sigmoid mesocolon; ascending preganglionic parasympathetic axons course through the sigmoid mesocolon an their route from the pelvis (S2,3,4) to the descending colon |
spleen | lymphatic organ suspended within the greater omentum in the upper left quadrant | spleen is connected to the greater curvature of the stomach by the gastrosplenic (gastrolienal) ligament; it is connected to the left kidney by the splenorenal (lienorenal) ligament; spleen is covered by visceral peritoneum on all of its surfaces |
splenorenal ligament | peritoneum that attaches the spleen to the posterior abdominal wall over the left kidney | splenorenal ligament develops from the dorsal mesogastrium of the embryo; also known as: lienorenal ligament |
spermatic cord | bundle of vessels, nerves and lymphatics ensheathed in tissue layers derived from the abdominal wall; it begins at the deep inguinal ring, passes through the inguinal canal and the superficial ring to reach the testis in the scrotum | spermatic cord contains the: ductus deferens, testicular a., pampiniform plexus, deferential a. & v. and genital br. of the genitofemoral n.; coverings of the cord are the: internal spermatic fascia (from the transversalis fascia), cremasteric muscle and fascia (from the internal abdominal oblique), external spermatic fascia (from the external abdominal oblique aponeurosis) |
stomach | dilated portion of the digestive system located primarily in the upper left quadrant | stomach rotates during embryonic development so that the lesser curvature (originally the anterior surface) faces superiorly and to the right, the greater curvature (originally the posterior surface) faces inferiorly and to the left |
stomach, body of | part of the stomach between the fundus and the pylorus | mucosal surface of the body of the stomach near the lesser curvature has gastric folds |
stomach, fundus of | expanded superior part of the stomach above the entrance of the esophagus | fundus may contain a gas bubble in X rays of patients filmed in a standing position |
suprarenal gland | endocrine gland located superomedial to the kidney; right suprarenal gland is somewhat triangular in shape, left suprarenal gland is semilunar in shape | suprarenal cortex manufactures corticosteroids; suprarenal medulla manufactures epinephrine and norepinephrine; suprarenal medulla receives preganglionic sympathetic innervation from the greater thoracic splanchnic n.; also known as: adrenal gland |
teniae coli | band of longitudinal smooth muscle on the surface of the large intestine | there are three teniae coli, named according to their position on the transverse colon: tenia omentalis (located at the line of attachment of the omental apron), tenia mesocolica (located at the line of attachment of the transverse mesocolon), tenia libera ("free" tenia - it has no mesenteric attachment obscuring it) |
tenia libera | band of longitudinal smooth muscle on the large intestine | tenia libera has no attachment to any peritoneal structure; the easiest of the tenia to see |
tenia mesocolica | band of longitudinal smooth muscle on the large intestine | tenia mesocolica is located at the line of attachment of the transverse mesocolon on the transverse colon |
tenia omentalis | band of longitudinal smooth muscle on the large intestine | tenia omentalis is located at the line of attachment of the omental apron on the transverse colon |
testis | an endocrine and exocrine gland contained within the scrotum | testis is the male gonad; its exocrine product is sperm which drain to the head of the epididymis via efferent ductules; its endocrine product is testosterone; the testis migrates into the scrotum shortly before birth; it is tethered to the scrotum inferiorly by the scrotal ligament (a remnant of the gubernaculum) |
transverse colon | part of the large intestine located between the left and right colic flexures | transverse colon is continuous proximally with the ascending colon at the right colic (hepatic) flexure; it is continuous distally with the descending colon at the left colic (splenic) flexure; it is suspended from the posterior abdominal wall by the transverse mesocolon |
transverse mesocolon | peritoneum connecting the transverse colon to the posterior abdominal wall | transverse mesocolon represents the fusion of the transverse mesocolon with one layer of the greater omentum in the embryo; it forms the floor of the lesser peritoneal sac |
triangular ligament | extreme left or right end of the coronary ligament of the liver | triangular ligaments are formed by the joining of the anterior and posterior laminae of the coronary ligament; they delineate the right and left extremes of the bare area of the liver |
tunica albuginea, testis | outer white fibrous covering of the testis | tunica albuginea is a dense connective tissue capsule that is covered on its external surface by the visceral layer of the tunica vaginalis testis |
tunica dartos scroti | a subcutaneous layer of smooth muscle located in the scrotum | fatty and membranous layers of the superficial fascia (as seen in the lower abdominal wall) are fused in the scrotum to form the tunica dartos scroti |
tunica vaginalis testis | a peritoneal sac located anterolateral to the testis | tunica vaginalis testis has two layers: visceral and parietal; the visceral layer lies on the anterolateral surface of the testis and epididymis; the parietal layer lines the inner surface of the scrotal sac; the word "vaginalis" is derived from the Latin word for sheath |
ureter | muscular tube that serves as the duct of the kidney to carry urine to the bladder | ureter is continuous proximally with the renal pelvis; it passes over the pelvic brim medial to the testicular/ovarian vessels; it passes obliquely through the posterior wall of the urinary bladder and drains at the posterolateral angle of the vesical trigone |