Course Description:

This course is an introduction to the basic anatomy of the abdomen, along with its corresponding sonographic images and imaging planes. Topics include abdominal vasculature, liver, gallbladder and biliary tree, pancreas, spleen, and urinary tract. Various diseases at different stages of progression are presented along with their sonographic presentation. Additionally, students will gain knowledge of proper abdominal scanning protocols.

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to

  Identify anatomy, relational anatomy, anatomic variants, and sonographic appearances of normal abdominal anatomical structures.

o   Adrenal glands

o   Aorta and branches

o   Biliary system

o   Great vessels and branches

o   Liver

o   Pancreas

o   Peritoneal and retroperitoneal cavities

o   Spleen

o   Urinary tract

·         Define, describe, and explain physiology and pathophysiology in the normal and abnormal structures listed above.

·         Discuss sonographic techniques, measurements, sonographic appearances, and basic Doppler patterns, where applicable, in both normal and abnormal structures listed above.

·         Evaluate scanning protocol and make modifications based on the sonographic findings and the differential diagnoses.

o   Indications and contraindication

o   History and physical examination

o   Related imaging, laboratory, and functional testing procedures

o   Clinical differential diagnosis