Peritoneum and Peritoneal Structures Flashcards
where is the pelvic cavity?
- smallest cavity at caudal end
what is the peritoneum?
serous membrane lines abdominal, cranial part of pelvic, and scrotal cavities, reflects out and around organs within it
largest and longest membrane in body
what are the functions of peritoneum?
- friction reduction
- free movement of mesentery
- fixation as by ligaments
- fat storage as in omentum
what is a retroperitoneal organ?
- outside the cavity
- examples: kidneys, ureters (most of length), adrenal glands, aorta, Cd VC, lumbar lymph nodes
what is a peritoneal organ?
- surrounded by peritoneum
what gastrulation layer does the peritoneum come from?
- mesoderm
what is the coleum?
peritoneal cavity
what is clinically important about retroperitoneal organs?
- kidneys are covered by peritoneum on ventral surface only, trauma to kidney blood or urine may accumulate in space, fluids retained in this area cannot be diagnosed by palpation or abdominocentesis so can be harder and delayed in diagnosis
what is clinically important to peritoneal cavity?
- if no serous fluid, peritonitis or rough handling may cause adhesions where layers stick and impair movement of organs thus impairing function
- peritoneal cavity has 2 openings in female for uterine tubes so peritonitis is more common
what are the connecting peritoneums?
- dorsal mesentary
- ventral mesentary
what is mesentary?
- a type of connecting peritoneum - wide and double layered
- connects: intestinal and reproductive tracts with abdominal wall
- contains blood vessels, lymphatics, and nerves
how are the different lengths of mesentery formed?
- herniation –> rotation –> retraction of gut tube
- to begin gut tube growth exceeds that of body cavity and herniates through incomplete wall –> two rotations of gut loops –> body cavity enlarges –> return of gut
- return or retraction: begins at cranial and caudal most ends of tube (stomach, duodenum, colon) are first, then jejunum is last
what is fixed viscera?
- early viscera packed tightly against body wall by the portions of gut that enter later, so mesenteries are partially fused with dorsal body wall
- stomach and duodenum cranially
- ileum, cecum, and all three parts colon caudally
what is mobile viscera?
- regions of gut retracted late, mainly jejunum not crowded and retain long mesentery
why is length of mesentery important?
- determines ease of access during surgery
- jejunum easily accessed - small incision
- stomach or colon would require larger incision
what are the landmark mesenteries of fixed viscera?
- broad ligaments of uterus (right and left) - lateral most mesenteries and can be used to easily located uterine horns