Digestive Anatomy Hub
A structured, region-wise exploration of the digestive system from oral cavity to anal canal.
Digestive Anatomy Hub
Embryology
Development of the gastrointestinal tract and associated organs.
Esophagus Development – Tracheoesophageal Septum
An overview of esophagus development from the foregut and its separation from the trachea by the tracheoesophageal septum, including common clinical anomalies.
Stomach Development – Rotation & Lesser Sac
An overview of stomach development from a fusiform dilation of the foregut, detailing its 90-degree clockwise rotation and the formation of the lesser sac.
Duodenum Development – Rotation & Recanalization
An overview of duodenum development from both foregut and midgut, its rotation to a retroperitoneal position, and the process of recanalization of its lumen.
Midgut Development – Herniation & Rotation
An overview of midgut development, including its physiological umbilical herniation, 270-degree anticlockwise rotation, and return to the abdominal cavity.
Hindgut Development – Anal Canal & Pectinate Line
An overview of hindgut development, which forms the distal colon and upper anal canal. Learn about the dual origin of the anal canal above and below the pectinate line.
Fundamentals
General overview of the digestive system.
Head & Neck
Oral cavity, salivary glands, and pharynx.
Oral Vestibule – Lips, Cheeks & Gingiva Anatomy
An overview of the structures forming the entrance to the oral cavity, including the vestibule, lips, muscular cheeks, and the gingiva (gums) surrounding the teeth.
Teeth Anatomy – Types, Structure & Eruption
An overview of human dentition, covering deciduous and permanent teeth, their structure (enamel, dentin, pulp), nerve supply, and timeline of eruption.
Oral Cavity Proper – Boundaries, Floor & Roof
An overview of the oral cavity proper, detailing its boundaries, the floor of the mouth formed by the mylohyoid, and the roof formed by the hard and soft palate.
Tongue Anatomy – Muscles, Papillae & Nerve Supply
A comprehensive overview of the tongue, detailing its intrinsic and extrinsic muscles, papillae (vallate, filiform), complex nerve supply, and functions.
Palatine Tonsils – Anatomy, Blood Supply & Clinical
An overview of the palatine tonsils, masses of lymphoid tissue in the oropharynx, detailing their location in the tonsillar fossa, blood supply, and clinical role.
Esophagus
Cervical, thoracic, and abdominal parts.
Cervical Esophagus – Relations & Surgical Access
An overview of the cervical part of the esophagus, detailing its relations to the trachea and recurrent laryngeal nerve, and why it is surgically accessed from the left.
Esophagus (Thorax) – Relations & Constrictions
The esophagus is a muscular tube connecting the pharynx to the stomach. This guide covers its thoracic course, relations, and four major anatomical constrictions.
Abdominal Esophagus – Relations & Clinical Relevance
An overview of the short (1.25 cm) abdominal segment of the esophagus, detailing its position, peritoneal relations, and clinical correlations like esophageal varices.
Stomach & Duodenum
Gross anatomy and relations.
Stomach Anatomy – Parts, Relations & Blood Supply
A detailed guide to the stomach, covering its J-shape, parts (cardia, fundus, body, pylorus), relations to the 'stomach bed,' and rich arterial blood supply.
Duodenum Anatomy – 4 Parts, Relations & Major Papilla
A guide to the C-shaped duodenum, the first part of the small intestine. Learn its four parts, relations to the pancreas, and key internal features like the major papilla.
Large Intestine
Caecum, appendix, colon, and rectum.
Large Intestine – Parts & Key Features (Teniae, Haustra)
An overview of the large intestine, covering its parts (cecum, colon, rectum) and its three cardinal features: teniae coli, haustra, and appendices epiploicae.
Cecum – Anatomy, Relations & Ileocecal Valve
An overview of the cecum, the blind sac at the start of the large intestine. Learn its structure, peritoneal relations, and the location of the ileocecal valve.
Vermiform Appendix – Positions & Appendicitis
A detailed look at the vermiform appendix, its variable positions (retrocecal being most common), and the clinical significance of appendicitis at McBurney's point.
Colon Anatomy – Ascending, Transverse, Descending, Sigmoid
A comprehensive overview of the colon, detailing the anatomy of its four parts, its flexures (hepatic and splenic), and its role in water absorption and feces formation.
Liver & Biliary System
Liver, gallbladder, and bile ducts.
Liver Anatomy – Lobes, Segments & Blood Supply
A detailed guide to the liver, the body's largest gland. Explore its anatomical lobes, functional segments, peritoneal ligaments, and dual blood supply.
Gallbladder & Bile Ducts – Calot’s Triangle Explained
An overview of the gallbladder and bile ducts that transport and store bile. Learn about the cystic duct, common bile duct, and the clinical Triangle of Calot.
Peritoneum & Cavities
Peritoneum and abdominal cavity.
Peritoneum – Layers, Mesentery, Omenta & Ligaments
An overview of the peritoneum, its parietal and visceral layers, and its complex folds including the mesentery, omenta (greater and lesser), and various ligaments.
Peritoneal Cavity – Greater Sac, Lesser Sac & Epiploic Foramen
A guide to the subdivisions of the peritoneal cavity, including the greater sac, the lesser sac (omental bursa), and the epiploic foramen that connects them.
Abdominal Cavity – Boundaries, Contents & 9 Regions
An overview of the abdominal cavity, its boundaries from the diaphragm to the pelvic brim, its contents, and the nine clinical regions used for diagnosis.
Vessels & Nerves
Arterial supply, venous drainage, and autonomic innervation.
Abdominal Aorta – Course, Branches & Levels
An overview of the abdominal aorta, detailing its course from T12 to L4 and its major unpaired ventral (celiac, SMA, IMA) and paired lateral branches.
SMA & IMA – Mesenteric Vessels of Midgut and Hindgut
An overview of the superior (SMA) and inferior (IMA) mesenteric arteries and veins, which supply the embryonic midgut and hindgut derivatives, respectively.
Portal Vein – Formation, Tributaries & Portocaval Sites
An overview of the portal vein, which carries nutrient-rich blood to the liver. Learn its formation, tributaries, and key sites of portocaval anastomoses.
Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) – Course & Tributaries
Explore the anatomy of the inferior vena cava (IVC), the largest vein in the body, including its course, major tributaries, and relations in the abdomen.
Abdominal Autonomics – Sympathetic Chain & Plexuses
An overview of the lumbar sympathetic chain and the major autonomic plexuses (celiac, aortic, hypogastric) that regulate abdominal and pelvic viscera.
Explore Related Anatomy Hubs
Embryology Hub
Developmental anatomy and embryologic processes underlying human structure and organization.
Abdomen Anatomy Hub
Abdominal viscera, vessels, peritoneum, and key anatomical relationships.
Pelvis & Perineum Hub
Pelvic organs, vessels, nerves, perineum, and anatomical support structures.