Exam 3 Review:  Chapter 23:  Peritoneal Cavity & Mesenteries

peritoneal cavity = abdominal cavity - the interior of the peritoneum; a potential space between layers of the peritoneum bounded by the diaphragm above; it is lined by the parietal layer of the serous peritoneum and contains the abdominal organs (stomach, intestines, spleen, liver, pancreas, adrenal glands -- each covered by its portion of the visceral peritoneum) and the various abdominal mesenteries; it also contains a small amount of serous fluid = peritoneal fliuid.

visceral peritoneum - The serous membrane which  covers the various abdominal organs (stomach, intestines, pancreas, liver, spleen, etc.) in the abdominal cavity and produces the peritoneal fluid.

parietal peritoneum - The serous membrane which lines the abdominal cavity which houses the various abdominal organs and produces the peritoneal fluid.

retroperitoneal - A directional term used to describe the location of certain organs as behind or beneath the parietal peritoneum which lines the peritoneal cavity; e.g., the kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, portions of the ascending and descending colon, etc.

mesentery - Any of several folds of the peritoneum (fibrous connective tissue covered by the visceral peritoneum serosal membrane) which support and connect the intestines (or other abdominal organs) to the dorsal abdominal wall, especially the fold which envelops the jejunum and ileum ("the mesentery proper"); the other mesenteries being called mesocecum, mesocolon, mesorectum, etc.); the interior of a mesentery contains a rich blood supply, lymphatics and lymph nodes, and nerves.

mesocolon - The fold of the peritoneum (mesentery -- fibrous connective tissue covered by the visceral peritoneum serosal membrane) which supports and connects the the lower colon to the dorsal abdominal wall; the interior contains a rich blood supply, lymphatics and lymph nodes, and nerves.

falciform ligament - The anteroposterior fold of the parietal peritoneum (fibrous connective tissue covered by the visceral peritoneum serosal membrane) attached to the under surface of the diaphragm and the sheath of the rectus muscle and along a line on the anterior and upper surfaces of the liver extending back from the notch on the anterior margin of the liver; it is a main support for the liver in the abdominal cavity.

lesser omentum - The fold of the peritoneum (mesentery -- fibrous connective tissue covered by the visceral peritoneum serosal membrane) which supports and connects parts of the stomach and duodenum to the liver and and supports the hepatic vessels; the interior contains a rich blood supply, lymphatics and lymph nodes, and nerves.

greater omentum - The large fold of the peritoneum (mesentery -- fibrous connective tissue covered by the visceral peritoneum serosal membrane) which supports and connects the stomach to the transverse colon; the fold is large enough to entirely cover the intestines anteriorly; the interior contains a rich blood supply, lymphatics and lymph nodes, and nerves.

The greater omentum has been elevated away from the small bowel during a surgery to remove cancer. The surgeon's hand is holding the transverse colon.  The small intestine appears most clearly to the left.  [A large volume of mucinous tumors heavily coats the greater omentum and transverse colon.  Each tumor appears as a small glistening raised nodule.]  You can also see the three layers of abdominal muscle in the cut abdominal wall.

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