Learning Objectives for
Dissection of the Posterior Abdominal Wall.

The dissection of the posterior abdominal wall completes the abdomen and exposes the remaining retroperitoneal organs (pancreas, kidneys, suprarenal glands). The diaphragm is best viewed at this time and the lumbar plexus is introduced.


Basic concepts:
You may wish to review the basic concepts for the abdominal wall at this time. The link opens a new window which you will need to close to return to this page.


Specific Learning Objectives:

  1. Explain the relationships of the fascial layers to the muscles and peritoneum.
  2. Describe the distribution of the peritoneum and the formation of mesenteries, ligaments and omenta.
  3. Describe the anatomic constituents and relationships of the viscera.
  4. List the blood supply of the abdomen and learn important anastomoses.
  5. Demonstrate the biliary and pancreatic duct systems and their major variations.
  6. Describe the innervation of the abdominal viscera; what is visceral referred pain.
  7. Explain the lymphatic drainage in this region.
  8. List which viscera are intraperitoneal; which are retroperitoneal.
  9. Explain the lumbar plexus.
  10. Identify anatomic structures in radiographic studies including X-ray, CT scans and MRI films.


Difficult parts of the dissection:

  1. Locating the union of the common bile duct and pancreatic ducts at the duodenal papilla can be tricky. Try making a nick in the bile duct, inserting your flexible blunt probe and work it down to the duodenal papilla. Once you find the papilla, you can then look for the pancreatic duct(s). See Step 1.
  2. If you haven't found the autonomic ganglia in the region now is a good time. Grab the greater splanchnic nerve in the thorax, tug on it and locate where it passes posterior to the crura of the diaphragm. Use this nerve to locate the largest of the ganglia - the celiac ganglia.

John A. McNulty, Ph.D.
Last Updated: Mar 12, 2000
Created: Mar 12, 2000