Retroperitoneal Structures

Overview

• Labeled structures 
  • duodenum (2nd, 3rd, 4th parts)
  • descending colon
  • ascending colon
  • kidneys
    • left kidney sits at spinal cord level T12-L3, right kidney slightly inferior
    • renal arteries take off aorta at L1
  • pancreas (minus tail) 
  • aorta
  • inferior vena cava (IVC)
    • formed at L4-L5 where common iliac veins come together  
• Not shown in diagram
  • suprarenal glands aka adrenal glands
  • ureters
  • esophagus (lower 2/3)
  • rectum (upper 2/3)
• “SAD PUCKER” mnemonic of retroperitoneal structures
  • Suprarenal glands (aka adrenal glands)
  • Aorta and IVC
  • Duodenum
  • Pancreas
  • Ureters
  • Colon (descending, ascending)
  • Kidneys
  • Esophagus
  • Rectum