The Gastrointestinal System - Peritoneum Flashcards
What is the peritoneum?
The peritoneum is a continuous transparent membrane which lines the abdominal cavity and covers the abdominal organs (or viscera).
What are the two layers of the peritoneum?
The peritoneum consists of two layers which are continuous with each other; the parietal peritoneum and the visceral peritoneum.
What does the parietal peritoneum line?
The parietal peritoneum lines the internal surface of the abdominopelvic wall (anterior abdominal wall).
What does the visceral peritoneum line?
The visceral peritoneum invaginates (be turned inside out or folded back on itself to form a cavity) to cover the majority of the abdominal viscera (lines the internal organs).
Where is the peritoneal cavity located and what is its function?
The peritoneal cavity (green arrows) is a potential space between the parietal and visceral peritoneum. It contains a small amount of lubricating fluid.
What is the doubling of visceral peritoneum between the stomach and other organs called?
omenta
(we have greater and lesser).
Where is the greater omentum located?
The greater omentum hangs down like an apron over the intestines.
What is the mesentery?
The doubling of visceral peritoneum around other organs and attaches it to the posterior abdominal wall and allows the passage of blood vessels, nerves and lymphatics to and from the organ it is called a mesentery.
Where is the peritoneal ligament?
- Peritoneal ligament is a thickened double layer of peritoneum that connects an organ with another organ or with the abdominal wall.
- Blue = lesser sac, pink = greater sac
look at the Section through abdomen showing lesser sac and epiploic foramen
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Have a look at Intraperitoneal and retroperitoneal structures
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