peritoneum Flashcards
what is the peritoneum?
a continuous transparent membrane which lines the abdominal cavity and covers the abdominal organs (or viscera)
what is the function of the peritoneum?
support the viscera
provides a pathway for blood vessels and lymph
what does the peritoneum consist of?
2 layers which are continuous with each other
outer parietal and visceral (inner) peritoneum
what do both layers of the peritoneum consist of? what is it called?
simple squamous epithelial cells
called mesothelium
what does the parietal peritoneum line?
internal surface of the abdominopelvic wall
what is the parietal peritoneum derived from?
somatic mesoderm in the embryo
what nervous supply does the parietal peritoneum receive?
same somatic nerve supply as the region of the abdominal wall that lines it
how does pain from the parietal peritoneum appear?
well localised
what is the parietal peritoneum sensitive to?
pressure, pain, laceration, temperature
what does the visceral peritoneum cover?
invaginates to cover the majority of the abdominal viscera
what is the visceral peritoneum derived from? (embryo)
splanchnic mesoderm
what is the nerve supply to the visceral peritoneum from?
same nerve supply as the viscera it invests
how is pain from visceral peritoneum perceived?
poorly localised
what is visceral peritoneum sensitive to?
stretch and chemical irritation
where is pain from visceral peritoneum referred to?
area of skin (dermatome) which are supplied by the same sensory ganglia and spinal cord segments as the nerve fibres innervating the viscera
what is the peritoneal cavity?
a potential space between the parietal and visceral peritoneum
what does the peritoneal cavity contain?
small amount of lubricating fluid
how can the abdominal viscera be divided anatomically?
by their relationship with the peritoneum
what are the 2 main groups of the abdominal viscera?
intraperitoneal & retroperitoneal organs
what are intraperitoneal organs?
completely covered in visceral peritoneum, anteriorly & posteriorly
what are examples of intraperitoneal organs?
stomach, liver, spleen
what are retroperitoneal organs?
organs that are only covered in peritoneum on their anterior surface