Peritoneum Flashcards
What is the peritoneum?
It is a layer of connective tissue that covers the walls and all of the viscera of the abdomen
What happens as the peritoneum moves off?
A structure of the abdomen will create a reflection
What does the reflection/flap over the peritoneum cover?
The abdominal contents called the greater omentum
What is the first structure visible if you were to remove the anterior abdominal wall?
The greater omentum
What is the major reflection of the peritoneum from the posterior abdominal wall?
It is known as the mesentery and it surrounds the majority of the small intestines
What is the mesentery compared to?
An inflated by malleable ballon that fills the abdominal cavity
What happens as a result of the organs being forced to the outer walls of the balloon?
An inner potential space inside of the balloon which is continuous around all of the abdominal organs
What is the inner potential space inside the balloon called?
The peritoneal cavity
What is the function of the peritoneum?
Acts to anchor floppy abdominal organs to the posterior body wall so that they don’t squash each other or move around when we jump. It also carried the blood supply to the organs