Читать книгу Emergency Medical Services - Группа авторов - Страница 423

The peritoneum provides a potential space for air, blood, or other fluids in pathologic conditions. Some structures, such as the kidneys, ureters, pancreas, aorta, and portions of the duodenum, lie in the retroperitoneum. This area contains less sensory innervation, accounting for decreased pain perception and often poor localization of pathologic conditions involving these structures. The lungs, pleural cavity, and base of the heart are all in close proximity to the abdominal cavity and can be involved in conditions that may be perceived as abdominal pain.

The abdomen is traditionally divided into four quadrants by a vertical and horizontal line through the umbilicus. Use of the quadrant description provides not only common terminology, but it is also an important determinant in the development of a differential diagnosis of abdominal complaints (Box 19.3).