Peritoneum
| Definition: |
The endothelial lining of the ABDOMINAL CAVITY. The parietal peritoneum covers the inside of the ABDOMINAL WALL and the visceral peritoneum covers the bowel, the MESENTERY, and certain of the organs. The portion that covers the bowel becomes the serosal layer of the bowel wall. |
| Notes: |
do not confuse with PERITONEAL CAVITY; "peritoneal cells" = probably PERITONEAL CAVITY /cytol or ASCITIC FLUID /pathol but not PERITONEUM /cytol; inflammation = PERITONITIS; PERITONEAL LAVAGE is available; note PERITONEAL FLUID see ASCITIC FLUID |
| Also Called: |
Peritoneum, Parietal,Peritoneum, Visceral |
Peritoneum Categories.
 |
Douglas' Pouch - A sac or recess formed by a fold of the peritoneum. |
|
Mesentery - A layer of the peritoneum which attaches the abdominal viscera to the ABDOMINAL WALL and conveys their blood vessels and nerves. |
|
Omentum - A double-layered fold of peritoneum that attaches the STOMACH to other organs in the ABDOMINAL CAVITY. |
|
Peritoneal Cavity - The space enclosed by the peritoneum. It is divided into two portions, the greater sac and the lesser sac or omental bursa, which lies behind the STOMACH. The two sacs are connected by the foramen of Winslow, or epiploic foramen. |
Peritoneum Definitions and Terms
MedicalGlossary.org is designed as a free, browsable resource for all. The medical terms and definitions are not intended to replace medical informaion provided by licensed healthcare professionals. Please see a doctor if you need medical assistance. Don't see the medical term you were researching? Send us an e-mail from our "about us" page. We will do our best to research and classify new medical terms in a timely manner. Our current list of medical terms is over 26,000. Data sources include the U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2004 Medical Subject Headings.
|
