This is the longest section of this book, reflecting the complexity and diversity of abdominal operative procedures commonly performed during training and by practicing general surgeons. It is divided into several parts.

The first part, Basic Abdominal Procedures and the Abdomen in General (Chapters 39 40, 41, 42, 43 and 44), deals with the anatomy of the anterior abdominal wall and peritoneal recesses. The general layout of the peritoneal cavity is described.

The next part, The Upper Gastrointestinal Tract and Structures of the Left Upper Quadrant (Chapters 45 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61 and 62), continues the anatomy first introduced in Chapters 28 and 29. The distal esophagus, stomach, duodenum, and spleen are described.