peritoneum
Sign in to saveThe peritoneum is the serous membrane forming the lining of the abdominal cavity or coelom in amniotes and some invertebrates, such as annelids. It covers most of the intra-abdominal (or coelomic) organs, and is composed of a layer of mesothelium supported by a thin layer of connective tissue. This peritoneal lining of the cavity supports many of the abdominal organs and serves as a conduit for their blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and nerves.
AI overview
The peritoneum is a thin membrane that lines your abdominal cavity and covers most of your internal organs. It's important because it supports your abdominal organs and provides a pathway for the blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and nerves that keep them functioning.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
Key facts
- Anatomy.Name
- Peritoneum
- Anatomy.Latin
- peritoneum
- Anatomy.Image
- Gray1040.png
- Anatomy.Caption
- The peritoneum, colored in blue
- Anatomy.Image2
- Gray1035.png
- Anatomy.Caption2
- The epiploic foramen, greater sac or general cavity (red) and lesser sac, or omental bursa (blue)
- Anatomy.part_of
- Abdomen
via Wikipedia infobox
Article
18 sectionsContents
- Structure
- Layers
- Subdivisions
- [[Omentum (disambiguation)|Omenta]]
- [[Mesenteries]]
- Other ligaments and folds
- Classification of abdominal and pelvic structures
- Development
- Clinical significance
- Imaging assessment
- Peritoneal dialysis
- Peritonitis
- Primary peritoneal carcinoma
- Etymology
- Additional images
- See also
- References
- External links
The peritoneum is the serous membrane forming the lining of the abdominal cavity or coelom in amniotes and some invertebrates, such as annelids. It covers most of the intra-abdominal (or coelomic) organs, and is composed of a layer of mesothelium supported by a thin layer of connective tissue. This peritoneal lining of the cavity supports many of the abdominal organs and serves as a conduit for their blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and nerves.
The abdominal cavity (the space bounded by the vertebrae, abdominal muscles, diaphragm, and pelvic floor) is different from the intraperitoneal space (located within the abdominal cavity but wrapped in peritoneum). The structures within the intraperitoneal space are called "intraperitoneal" (e.g., the stomach and intestines), the structures in the abdominal cavity that are located behind the intraperitoneal space are called "retroperitoneal" (e.g., the kidneys), and those structures below the intraperitoneal space are called "subperitoneal" or "infraperitoneal" (e.g., the bladder).