Abdominal Cavity: Anatomy, Structural Anomalies, and Hernias

This chapter details the salient points regarding abdominal cavity development and anatomy, developmental and childhood structural anomalies of the abdominal cavity, and adult abdominal hernias. Key components of the abdominal cavity include the peritoneum and its reflections that envelop, suspend, or form boundaries around many intraabdominal organs. The normal anatomy has a number of variations, some of which result in pathological conditions. These include disorders of bowel rotation, consequences of physiological umbilical herniation, as well as failure of membrane formation leading to development of hernias. Adult hernias can be classified based on their site of origin: abdominal wall (groin or nongroin varieties), internal, pelvic, and diaphragmatic varieties. Surgical repair is recommended for all internal, pelvic, and diaphragmatic hernias apart from small asymptomatic diaphragmatic varieties. Internal hernia repair often requires laparotomy but can be safely performed laparoscopically by experienced surgeons.