Peritoneum

The peritoneum is the epithelial lining of a body cavity (coelom). In higher vertebrates, the peritoneum is the lining of the abdominal cavity in particular; the corresponding tissue in the pleural and pericardial cavities of the thorax is called the pleura and the pericardium respectively. The peritoneum is a double walled sac. The outer layer, called the parietal peritoneum, is attached to the wall of the cavities and the inner layer, the visceral peritoneum, is wrapped around the organs. The function of the peritoneum is to hold the organs in place so they don't either fall to the bottom of the cavity or get all tangled up as a person moves about, it also contains the blood and lymph vessels and nerves for the organs. There is a potential space between the two layers called the peritoneal cavity. In a normal healthy person most of this cavity is filled with a small amount of slippery fluid that allows the two layers to slide passed each other. Any accumulation of fluid (ascites) or gas (pneumoperitoneum) is abnormal. Inflammation of the peritoneum is peritonitis, which is usually caused by a perforation in the stomach or intestines and is a serious condition usually requiring urgent life-saving surgery.

Two notable sections of the peritoneum are the omenta, the greater (gastrocolic) omentum and the lesser (gastrohepatic) omentum. They each are a double fold of the peritoneum and contain a cavity (omental bursa or lesser peritoneal cavity). The lesser omentum is attached to the lesser curvature of the stomach and the liver. The greater omentum hangs from the greater curve of the stomach, loops down in front of the intestines then back up and is attached to the transverse colon. It's bursa contains fat cells and helps to keep the intestines warm.

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Structures of the abdomen and pelvis

A listing of the major structures in the abdomen, divided into whether they are intraperitoneal or extraperitoneal.

Intraperitoneal structures

• stomach
• jejunum
• ileum
• appendix
• spleen
• transverse colon
• sigmoid colon
• in women:
  • uterus
  • fallopian tubes
  • ovaries

Extraperitoneal structures

• liver
• gall bladder
• bile ducts
• Parts of the gastrointestinal tract
  • duodenum
  • pancreas
  • ascending colon
  • descending colon
  • rectum
• Major blood vessels
  • aorta
  • inferior vena cava
• adrenal glands
• kidneys
• ureters
• bladder

References

• Tortora, Gerard J., Anagnostakos, Nicholas P. (1984) Principles of Anatomy and Physiology, Harper & Row Publishers, New York ISBN 0-06-046656-1