3D Modeling of Abdominal Surface Area in Cats

The abdominal cavity it presents an ovoid shape and is compressed laterally and is considered the largest body cavity. It is delimited, cranially, by the diaphragm and, caudally, connected with the pelvic cavity. Dorsally, it is bounded by the lumbar vertebrae, muscles and lumbar part of the diaphragm. The side walls are formed by abdominal muscles, peritoneum, caudal ribs, iliac wings and its muscles. The ventral portion is bordered mainly by abdominal muscles and peritoneum. The dividing line between the abdominal and retroperitonealcavities is called terminal line; it is formed dorsally by the base of the sacrum, laterally by the iliopectineal lines, ventrally by the cranial edges of the pubic bones.The retroperitoneal cavity contains the rectum and part of the internal and urinary genital organs.

In the literature review carried out by the authors, no morphometric study was foundthat would determine the abdominal cavity surface area (ACSA) in cats. In humans and rats, the peritoneal surface area (PSA) is indeed described by various methods, due to its importance as direct barrier of exchanges in intraperitoneal therapy.