What Is the Ventral Body Cavity?

Abdominal cavity

[fù qing]

In the middle of the abdomen from

versus

Hydroperitoneal fluid, or ascites, is formed by the accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity.

There are many causes of ascites. Ascites most often occurs in cirrhosis, such as alcoholic cirrhosis, post-hepatic cirrhosis, schistosomiasis cirrhosis, congestive cirrhosis, and biliary cirrhosis.

Non-hepatic diseases such as heart failure, constrictive pericarditis, renal failure, especially nephrotic syndrome, tuberculous peritonitis, pancreatitis, tumor metastasis, hypothyroidism, and hypoalbuminemia often cause ascites.

A small amount of ascites usually does not cause symptoms, but a large amount of ascites can cause abdominal distension (frog-like abdomen) and discomfort, shortness of breath, abdominal dullness at the doctor's percussion, and mobile dullness at ascites exceeding 1000 mL. A lot of ascites caused abdominal tension and umbilical protrusion. In some patients with ascites, the joints swell (edema) due to excess water.

After the ascites is found, it is necessary to pass relevant inspections to clarify the cause of ascites. If necessary, a diagnostic puncture can be performed, that is, a small amount of ascites sample is taken through the abdominal wall puncture and sent to a laboratory to help determine the cause.