| Peritoneum | |
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| The peritoneum, coloured in blue | |
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| The epiploic foramen, greater sac or general cavity (red) and lesser sac, or omental bursa (blue). In Human anatomy, the foramen of Winslow (named after the anatomist Jean-Jacques Bénigne Winslow) also known as the omental foramen, epiploic foramen In Human anatomy, the greater sac, also known as the general cavity (of the abdomen or peritoneum of the Peritoneal cavity proper, is the cavity The lesser sac, also known as the omental bursa, is the cavity in the Abdomen that is formed by the lesser and Greater omentum. (Areas outlined in blue and red correspond to above diagram. ) | |
| Gray's | subject #246 1149 |
| MeSH | Peritoneum |
| Dorlands/Elsevier | p_14/12629236 |
In higher vertebrates, the peritoneum is the serous membrane that forms the lining of the abdominal cavity — it covers most of the intra-abdominal organs. Gray's Anatomy the Respiratory apparatus ( Apparatus Respiratorius Respiratory system Respiratory apparatus Medical Subject Headings ( MeSH) is a huge Controlled vocabulary (or metadata system for the purpose of indexing journal articles and books Elsevier, the world's largest Publisher of Medical and Scientific literature, forms part of the Reed Elsevier group Vertebrates are members of the Subphylum Vertebrata, Chordates with backbones or spinal columns The grouping sometimes includes In Anatomy, a serous membrane (or serosa) is a smooth membrane consisting of a thin layer of cells which excrete Serous fluid In Vertebrates such as Mammals the abdomen (belly constitutes the part of the body between the Thorax (chest and Pelvis. It is composed of a layer of mesothelium supported by a thin layer of connective tissue. The mesothelium is a membrane that forms the lining of several body cavities the Pleura (thoracal cavity Peritoneum (abdominal cavity including the mesentery and Connective tissue is one of the four types of tissue in traditional classifications (the others being epithelial, Muscle, and Nervous tissue)
The peritoneum both supports the abdominal organs and serves as a conduit for their blood and lymph vessels and nerves. Blood is a specialized Bodily fluid that delivers necessary substances to the body's cells such as nutrients and oxygen—and transports Waste products The lymphatic system in Vertebrates is a network of conduits that carry a clear fluid called Lymph. A nerve is an enclosed cable-like bundle of peripheral Axons (the long slender projections of Neurons.
Contents |
Structure
Layers
The abdominal cavity (the space bounded by the vertebrae, abdominal muscles, diaphragm and pelvic floor) should not be confused with the intraperitoneal space (located within the abdominal cavity, but wrapped in peritoneum). For example, a kidney is inside the abdominal cavity, but is retroperitoneal.
Although they ultimately form one continuous sheet, two types or layers of peritoneum and a potential space between them are referenced:
- The outer layer, called the parietal peritoneum, is attached to the abdominal wall. The abdominal wall represents the boundaries of the Abdominal cavity.
- The inner layer, the visceral peritoneum, is wrapped around the internal organs that are located inside the intraperitoneal cavity. In Biology, an organ ( Latin: organum, "instrument tool" from Greek όργανον - organon "organ instrument
- The potential space between these two layers is the peritoneal cavity; it is filled with a small amount (about 50 ml) of slippery serous fluid that allows the two layers to slide freely over each other. The litre or liter (see spelling differences) is a unit of Volume. In Physiology, the term serous fluid is used for various Bodily fluids that are typically pale yellow and transparent and of a Benign nature
- The term mesentery is often used to refer to a double layer of visceral peritoneum. In Anatomy, the mesentery is the double layer of Peritoneum that suspends the Jejunum and Ileum from the posterior wall of the Abdomen There are often blood vessels, nerves, and other structures between these layers. It should be noted that the space between these two layers is technically outside of the peritoneal sac, and thus not in the peritoneal cavity.
Subdivisions
There are two main regions of the peritoneum, connected by the epiploic foramen:
- the greater sac (or general cavity of the abdomen), represented in red in the diagrams above. In Human anatomy, the foramen of Winslow (named after the anatomist Jean-Jacques Bénigne Winslow) also known as the omental foramen, epiploic foramen In Human anatomy, the greater sac, also known as the general cavity (of the abdomen or peritoneum of the Peritoneal cavity proper, is the cavity
- the lesser sac (or omental bursa), represented in blue. The lesser sac, also known as the omental bursa, is the cavity in the Abdomen that is formed by the lesser and Greater omentum. The lesser sac is divided into two "omenta":
- The lesser omentum (or gastrohepatic) is attached to the lesser curvature of the stomach and the liver. The lesser omentum (small omentum gastrohepatic omentum is the double layer of Peritoneum that extends from the Liver to the lesser curvature of the Stomach The lesser curvature of the stomach, extending between the Cardiac and Pyloric orifices forms the right or posterior border of the stomach The liver is a vital organ in the human body and is present in Vertebrates and some other animals
- The greater omentum (or gastrocolic) hangs from the greater curve of the stomach and loops down in front of the intestines before curving back upwards to attach to the transverse colon. The greater omentum (also the great omentum, omentum majus, gastrocolic omentum, or epiploön) is a large fold of Peritoneum that The greater curvature of the stomach is directed mainly forward and is four or five times as long as the Lesser curvature. In Anatomy, the intestine is the segment of the alimentary canal extending from the Stomach to the Anus and in humans and other mammals consists The colon is a storage tube for solid wastes The main function of the colon appears to be extraction of Water and salts from Feces. In effect it is draped in front of the intestines like an apron and may serve as an insulating or protective layer.
The mesentery is the part of the peritoneum through which most abdominal organs are attached to the abdominal wall and supplied with blood and lymph vessels and nerves. In Anatomy, the mesentery is the double layer of Peritoneum that suspends the Jejunum and Ileum from the posterior wall of the Abdomen The abdominal wall represents the boundaries of the Abdominal cavity. Blood is a specialized Bodily fluid that delivers necessary substances to the body's cells such as nutrients and oxygen—and transports Waste products The lymphatic system in Vertebrates is a network of conduits that carry a clear fluid called Lymph.
Structures include:
In addition, in the pelvic cavity there are several structures that are usually named not for the peritoneum, but for the areas defined by the peritoneal folds:
| Name | Location | Genders possessing structure |
| Rectovesical pouch | between rectum and urinary bladder | male only |
| Rectouterine pouch | between rectum and uterus | female only |
| Vesicouterine pouch | between urinary bladder and uterus | female only |
| Pararectal fossa | surrounding rectum | male and female |
| Paravesical fossa | surrounding urinary bladder | male and female |
Development
The peritoneum develops ultimately from the mesoderm of the trilaminar embryo. The portion of Mesentery attached to the Greater curvature of the Stomach is named the dorsal mesentery (or dorsal mesogastrium, when referring The greater omentum (also the great omentum, omentum majus, gastrocolic omentum, or epiploön) is a large fold of Peritoneum that In Human anatomy, the stomach is a J-shaped hollow muscular organ of the Gastrointestinal tract involved in the second phase of Digestion, following The spleen is an organ found in all Vertebrate animals In humans the spleen is located in the abdomen of the body where it functions in the destruction of redundant Red The gastrosplenic ligament ( ligamentum gastrosplenicum or gastrolienal ligament) is part of the Greater omentum. In Human anatomy, the stomach is a J-shaped hollow muscular organ of the Gastrointestinal tract involved in the second phase of Digestion, following The spleen is an organ found in all Vertebrate animals In humans the spleen is located in the abdomen of the body where it functions in the destruction of redundant Red The short gastric arteries consist of from five to seven small branches which arise from the end of the Splenic artery, and from its terminal divisions The left gastro-omental artery (or left gastroepiploic artery) the largest branch of the Splenic artery, runs from left to right about a finger’s breadth or more The postero-inferior surface of the Stomach is covered by Peritoneum, except over a small area close to the Cardiac orifice; this area is limited by the lines of attachment In Human anatomy, the stomach is a J-shaped hollow muscular organ of the Gastrointestinal tract involved in the second phase of Digestion, following For other types of diaphragm see Diaphragm. In the Anatomy of Mammals the thoracic diaphragm is a sheet of Muscle The gastrocolic ligament is a portion of the Greater omentum connecting to the Transverse colon. In Human anatomy, the stomach is a J-shaped hollow muscular organ of the Gastrointestinal tract involved in the second phase of Digestion, following The transverse colon the longest and most movable part of the colon, passes with a downward convexity from the right Hypochondrium region across the abdomen opposite The splenorenal ligament (or lienorenal ligament, or phrenicolienal ligament) is derived from the Peritoneum, where the wall of the general peritoneal The spleen is an organ found in all Vertebrate animals In humans the spleen is located in the abdomen of the body where it functions in the destruction of redundant Red The kidneys are complicated organs that have numerous biological roles In Anatomy, the splenic artery (in the past called the lienal artery) is the Blood vessel that supplies oxygenated Blood to the Spleen The tail of the Pancreas, located anatomically left near the Hilum of the Spleen, is not simply an anatomical distinction Ventral mesentery is the part of the Peritoneum closest to the Navel. The lesser omentum (small omentum gastrohepatic omentum is the double layer of Peritoneum that extends from the Liver to the lesser curvature of the Stomach In Human anatomy, the stomach is a J-shaped hollow muscular organ of the Gastrointestinal tract involved in the second phase of Digestion, following In Anatomy of the Digestive system, the duodenum is a hollow jointed tube about 25-30 cm (10-12 in long connecting the Stomach to the Jejunum The cranial part of the Lesser omentum ( omentum minus) is formed by the hepatogastric ligament ( ligamentum hepatogastricum) extending between the Liver In Human anatomy, the stomach is a J-shaped hollow muscular organ of the Gastrointestinal tract involved in the second phase of Digestion, following The liver is a vital organ in the human body and is present in Vertebrates and some other animals The hepatoduodenal ligament is the portion of the Lesser omentum extending between the Porta hepatis of the Liver and the first part of the Duodenum In Anatomy of the Digestive system, the duodenum is a hollow jointed tube about 25-30 cm (10-12 in long connecting the Stomach to the Jejunum The liver is a vital organ in the human body and is present in Vertebrates and some other animals The hepatic artery proper (also proper hepatic artery) arises from the Common hepatic artery and runs alongside the Portal vein and the Common bile The hepatic portal vein (often portal vein for short is a Portal vein in the human body that drains blood from the Digestive system and its associated A bile duct is any of a number of long tube-like structures that carry Bile. In Anatomy, the mesentery is the double layer of Peritoneum that suspends the Jejunum and Ileum from the posterior wall of the Abdomen In Biology the small Intestine is the part of the Gastrointestinal tract (gut between the Stomach and the Large intestine, and comprises In Anatomy of the Digestive system, the jejunum is the central of the three divisions of the Small intestine and lies between the Duodenum and In Anatomy of the Digestive system, the ileum is the final section of the Small intestine. The abdominal wall represents the boundaries of the Abdominal cavity. See also Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome In Human anatomy, the superior mesenteric artery (SMA arises from the anterior surface of the Abdominal aorta The transverse mesocolon is a broad meso-fold of Peritoneum, which connects the Transverse colon to the posterior wall of the Abdomen. The transverse colon the longest and most movable part of the colon, passes with a downward convexity from the right Hypochondrium region across the abdomen opposite The abdominal wall represents the boundaries of the Abdominal cavity. The middle colic artery is a branch of the Superior mesenteric artery that mostly supplies the Transverse colon. The sigmoid mesocolon is the fold of Peritoneum which retains the Sigmoid colon in connection with the Pelvic wall. The pelvis (pl pelvises or pelves) or pelvic girdle is the irregular bony structure located at the base of the spine (properly known The sigmoid arteries, two or three in number run obliquely downward and to the left behind the Peritoneum and in front of the Psoas major, Ureter, and The mesoappendix is the portion of the Mesentery connecting the Ileum to the appendix. In Anatomy of the Digestive system, the ileum is the final section of the Small intestine. The appendicular artery, also appendiceal artery, descends behind the termination of the Ileum and enters the Mesenteriole of the Vermiform process The falciform ligament is a broad and thin antero-posterior peritoneal fold falciform (Latin "sickle-shaped" in shape its base being directed downward and backward its apex The liver is a vital organ in the human body and is present in Vertebrates and some other animals For other types of diaphragm see Diaphragm. In the Anatomy of Mammals the thoracic diaphragm is a sheet of Muscle The abdominal wall represents the boundaries of the Abdominal cavity. For other structures with similar name see Round ligament. In Anatomy, the round ligament of (the liver (also commonly known by its In the course of the Ligamentum teres of the Liver and of the Middle umbilical ligament, small veins ( parumbilical) are found which establish an Anastomosis The umbilical vein is a Blood vessel present during fetal development that carries Oxygenated Blood from the Placenta to the growing Fetus For other structures with similar name see Round ligament. In Anatomy, the round ligament of (the liver (also commonly known by its The liver is a vital organ in the human body and is present in Vertebrates and some other animals The coronary ligament of the Liver refers to parts of the Peritoneal reflections that hold the liver to the inferior surface of the diaphragm. The liver is a vital organ in the human body and is present in Vertebrates and some other animals For other types of diaphragm see Diaphragm. In the Anatomy of Mammals the thoracic diaphragm is a sheet of Muscle In the Fetus, the ductus venosus shunts a significant majority (80% of the blood flow of the Umbilical vein directly to the Inferior vena cava. The ligamentum venosum is the fibrous remnant of the Ductus venosus of the Fetal circulation. The liver is a vital organ in the human body and is present in Vertebrates and some other animals The liver is a vital organ in the human body and is present in Vertebrates and some other animals A fold of Peritoneum, the phrenicocolic ligament, is continued from the Left colic flexure to the Thoracic diaphragm opposite the tenth and The splenic (or left colic flexure is a sharp bend between the transverse and the descending colon in the Left upper quadrant of humans For other types of diaphragm see Diaphragm. In the Anatomy of Mammals the thoracic diaphragm is a sheet of Muscle The left triangular ligament is a fold of some considerable size which connects the posterior part of the upper surface of the Left lobe to the diaphragm; its anterior The right triangular ligament is situated at the right extremity of the Bare area, and is a small fold which passes to the diaphragm, being formed by the apposition The liver is a vital organ in the human body and is present in Vertebrates and some other animals In the Urinary bladder, anteriorly there are the following folds one median umbilical fold on the Median umbilical ligament (which in turn contains In Anatomy, the urinary bladder is a hollow muscular, and distensible (or elastic organ that sits on the Pelvic floor in Mammals It is the The inferior ileocecal fossa is situated behind the angle of junction of the Ileum and Cecum. In Anatomy of the Digestive system, the ileum is the final section of the Small intestine. The cecum or caecum (from the Latin caecus meaning Blind) is a pouch connected to the Ascending colon of the Large The broad ligament of the uterus is the wide fold of Peritoneum that connects the sides of the Uterus to the walls and floor of the Pelvis. The uterus (from the Latin word for womb) is the major Female reproductive organ of most Mammals including Humans One end the The pelvis (pl pelvises or pelves) or pelvic girdle is the irregular bony structure located at the base of the spine (properly known The mesovarium is the portion of the Broad ligament of the Uterus that covers the ovaries. The mesosalpinx is part of the lining of the Abdominal cavity in higher Vertebrates specifically the portion of the Broad ligament that stretches from The mesometrium is the Mesentery of the Uterus. It constitutes the majority of the Broad ligament of the uterus, excluding only the portions adjacent to The ovarian ligament (also called the utero-ovarian ligament or proper ovarian ligament) is a fibrous Ligament that connects the Ovary to the The uterus (from the Latin word for womb) is the major Female reproductive organ of most Mammals including Humans One end the The inguinal canal is a passage in the anterior (toward the front of the body abdominal wall which in men conveys the Spermatic cord and in women the round ligament The suspensory ligament of the ovary, also infundibulopelvic ligament (commonly abbreviated IP ligament or simply IP) is a fold of Peritoneum "Ovaria" redirects here This is also a proposed section and a Synonym of Solanum. The pelvis (pl pelvises or pelves) or pelvic girdle is the irregular bony structure located at the base of the spine (properly known In Human anatomy, the ovarian artery is a Blood vessel that supplies Oxygenated blood to the Ovary. The pelvic cavity is a Body cavity that is bounded by the bones of the Pelvis and which primarily contains Reproductive organs, the Urinary bladder Between the Rectum and the bladder the Peritoneal cavity forms in the Male, a pouch the rectovesical excavation (or rectovesical pouch The rectum (from the Latin rectum intestinum, meaning straight intestine) is the final straight portion of the Large intestine in some Mammals In Anatomy, the urinary bladder is a hollow muscular, and distensible (or elastic organ that sits on the Pelvic floor in Mammals It is the The rectouterine pouch (or Patrick-Douglas Bursa, or Ehrhardt-Cole Recess, or Pouch of Douglas) is the extension of the peritoneal cavity between The rectum (from the Latin rectum intestinum, meaning straight intestine) is the final straight portion of the Large intestine in some Mammals The uterus (from the Latin word for womb) is the major Female reproductive organ of most Mammals including Humans One end the The Vesicouterine pouch (or Glassy Pouch) The peritoneum over the rectum and the bladder is continued over the intestinal surface and fundus of the Uterus on to its In Anatomy, the urinary bladder is a hollow muscular, and distensible (or elastic organ that sits on the Pelvic floor in Mammals It is the The uterus (from the Latin word for womb) is the major Female reproductive organ of most Mammals including Humans One end the In the male the Peritoneum encircles the Sigmoid colon, from which it is reflected to the posterior wall of the Pelvis as a fold the Sigmoid mesocolon The rectum (from the Latin rectum intestinum, meaning straight intestine) is the final straight portion of the Large intestine in some Mammals The Peritoneum of the anterior Pelvic wall covers the superior surface of the bladder, and on either side of this viscus forms a depression termed the paravesical In Anatomy, the urinary bladder is a hollow muscular, and distensible (or elastic organ that sits on the Pelvic floor in Mammals It is the One of the three Germ layers found in the Embryos of Animals more complex than Cnidarians making them Triploblastic. A trilaminar embryo (or trilaminary blastoderm, or trilaminar germ disk) is an early stage in the development of Triploblastic organisms which include As the mesoderm differentiates, one region known as the lateral plate mesoderm splits to form two layers separated by an intraembryonic coelom. Lateral plate mesoderm (or hypomere) is a type of Mesoderm that is found at the periphery of the Embryo. The intraembryonic coelom (or somatic coelom) is a a portion of the Conceptus forming in the Mesoderm. These two layers develop later into the visceral and parietal layers found in all serous cavities, including the peritoneum. In Anatomy, a serous membrane (or serosa) is a smooth membrane consisting of a thin layer of cells which excrete Serous fluid
As an embryo develops, the various abdominal organs grow into the abdominal cavity from structures in the abdominal wall. An embryo (from Greek:, plural, lit "that which grows" from en- "in" + bryein "to swell be full" is a multicellular In this process they become enveloped in a layer of peritoneum. The growing organs "take their blood vessels with them" from the abdominal wall, and these blood vessels become covered by peritoneum, forming a mesentery.
Clinical aspects
Pathology
- Pneumoperitoneum is the presence of gas within the peritoneal cavity, as may occur when a perforation forms in the stomach or intestines, and heralds a perilous situation. Pneumoperitoneum is air or gas in the abdominal (peritoneal cavity
- Peritonitis refers to inflammation of the peritoneal lining or cavity, as may occur with either a perforation or by spread of infection through the wall of one of the abdominal organs. Peritonitis is defined as Inflammation of the Peritoneum (the Serous membrane which lines part of the abdominal cavity and some of the Viscera Inflammation ( Latin, inflamatio, to set on fire is the complex biological response of vascular tissues to harmful stimuli such as Pathogens This too is a serious condition, and often requires emergency surgery.
- Ascites is an accumulation of excess fluid within the peritoneal cavity. In Medicine ( Gastroenterology) ascites (also known as peritoneal cavity fluid, peritoneal fluid excess, hydroperitoneum or more
Peritoneal dialysis
In one form of dialysis, the peritoneal dialysis, a glucose solution is run through a tube into the peritoneal cavity. Introduction Current treatment options for patients with severe chronic kidney failure are Dialysis and kidney transplantation In Medicine, dialysis (from Greek "dialusis" meaning dissolution "dia" meaning through and "lusis" meaning loosening is primarily Introduction Current treatment options for patients with severe chronic kidney failure are Dialysis and kidney transplantation The fluid is left there for a prescribed amount of time to absorb waste products, and then removed through the tube. The reason for this effect is the high number of arteries and veins in the peritoneal cavity. Through the mechanism of diffusion, waste products are removed from the blood. Diffusion is the net movement of particles (typically molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration by uncoordinated random movement
Classification of abdominal structures
The structures in the abdomen are classified as intraperitoneal, retroperitoneal or infraperitoneal depending on whether they are covered with visceral peritoneum and have a mesentery or not. The retroperitoneum (adj retroperitoneal) is the anatomical space in the Abdominal cavity behind ( retro) the Peritoneum.
| Intraperitoneal | Retroperitoneal | Infraperitoneal / Subperitoneal |
| Stomach, First part of the duodenum [5 cm], jejunum, ileum | The rest of the duodenum | |
| Cecum, appendix, transverse colon, sigmoid colon | Ascending colon, descending colon | |
| Rectum, upper 1/3 | Rectum, middle 1/3 | Rectum, lower 1/3 |
| Pancreas (tail), liver, spleen | Pancreas (head and body) | |
| Kidneys, suprarenal glands, ureters, renal vessels | Urinary bladder, ureters(end) | |
| In women: Uterus, Fallopian tubes, ovaries | Gonadal blood vessels | |
| Inferior vena cava, Aorta |
Structures that are intraperitoneal are generally mobile, while those that are retroperitoneal are relatively fixed in their location. In Human anatomy, the stomach is a J-shaped hollow muscular organ of the Gastrointestinal tract involved in the second phase of Digestion, following In Anatomy of the Digestive system, the jejunum is the central of the three divisions of the Small intestine and lies between the Duodenum and In Anatomy of the Digestive system, the ileum is the final section of the Small intestine. In Anatomy of the Digestive system, the duodenum is a hollow jointed tube about 25-30 cm (10-12 in long connecting the Stomach to the Jejunum The cecum or caecum (from the Latin caecus meaning Blind) is a pouch connected to the Ascending colon of the Large In Human anatomy, the appendix (or vermiform appendix; also cecal (or caecal appendix; also vermix) is a blind ended tube connected to the The transverse colon the longest and most movable part of the colon, passes with a downward convexity from the right Hypochondrium region across the abdomen opposite The sigmoid colon ( pelvic colon; sigmoid flexure) forms a loop which averages about 40 cm The ascending colon is smaller in caliber than the Cecum, with which it is continuous The descending colon of humans passes downward through the left Hypochondrium and lumbar regions along the lateral border of the left Kidney. The rectum (from the Latin rectum intestinum, meaning straight intestine) is the final straight portion of the Large intestine in some Mammals The rectum (from the Latin rectum intestinum, meaning straight intestine) is the final straight portion of the Large intestine in some Mammals The rectum (from the Latin rectum intestinum, meaning straight intestine) is the final straight portion of the Large intestine in some Mammals The pancreas is a Gland organ in the digestive and Endocrine system of Vertebrates. The liver is a vital organ in the human body and is present in Vertebrates and some other animals The spleen is an organ found in all Vertebrate animals In humans the spleen is located in the abdomen of the body where it functions in the destruction of redundant Red The pancreas is a Gland organ in the digestive and Endocrine system of Vertebrates. The kidneys are complicated organs that have numerous biological roles In Mammals the adrenal glands (also known as suprarenal glands) are the triangle-shaped Endocrine glands that sit on top of the Kidneys their In human Anatomy, the ureters are muscular ducts that propel Urine from the Kidneys to the Urinary bladder. The renal arteries normally arise off the side of the Abdominal aorta, immediately below the Superior mesenteric artery, and supply the Kidneys with In Anatomy, the urinary bladder is a hollow muscular, and distensible (or elastic organ that sits on the Pelvic floor in Mammals It is the In human Anatomy, the ureters are muscular ducts that propel Urine from the Kidneys to the Urinary bladder. The uterus (from the Latin word for womb) is the major Female reproductive organ of most Mammals including Humans One end the The Fallopian tubes, also known as oviducts, uterine tubes, and salpinges ( singular salpinx) are two very fine tubes lined with ciliated "Ovaria" redirects here This is also a proposed section and a Synonym of Solanum. The term gonadal artery is a generic term for a paired Artery, with one arising from the Abdominal aorta for each Gonad. The inferior vena cava (or IVC is the large Vein that carries de-oxygenated Blood from the lower half of the body into the Heart.
Some structures, such as the kidneys, are "primarily retroperitoneal", while others such as the majority of the duodenum, are "secondarily retroperitoneal", meaning that structure developed intraperitoneally but lost its mesentery and thus became retroperitoneal. In Anatomy, the mesentery is the double layer of Peritoneum that suspends the Jejunum and Ileum from the posterior wall of the Abdomen
Etymology
Peritoneum is derived from Greek. Peri- means around, while -ton- refers to stretching. Thus, peritoneum means stretched around or stretched over.
Additional images
 Bladder |
 Median sagittal section of pelvis, showing arrangement of fasciæ. |
 Horizontal disposition of the peritoneum in the lower part of the abdomen. |
 Sagittal section through posterior abdominal wall, showing the relations of the capsule of the kidney. |
 Topography of thoracic and abdominal viscera. |
 Horizontal disposition of the peritoneum in the upper part of the abdomen |
References
- Tortora, Gerard J. In Vertebrates such as Mammals the abdomen (belly constitutes the part of the body between the Thorax (chest and Pelvis. , Anagnostakos, Reginald Merryweather, Nicholas P. (1984) Principles of Anatomy and Physiology, Harper & Row Publishers, New York ISBN 0-06-046656-1
External links
The State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn, better known as SUNY Downstate Medical Center, is an academic medical center and is the only one of its kindDictionary
peritoneum
-noun
- (anatomy) In mammals, the serous membrane lining the cavity of the abdomen and that is folded over the viscera.
- (zoology) In animals, the membrane lining the coelom cavity.
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