L17: Peritoneum Anatomy

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is the peritoneum?

A type of blood vessel

A covering of organs in the abdominal cavity (correct)

A muscle that aids in digestion

A layer of tissue lining the stomach

How is the peritoneum divided?

Into the greater and lesser sacs

Into the parietal and visceral layers

Into the supracolic and infracolic compartments

All of the above (correct)

What is the function of the peritoneal fluid?

To protect the organs from infection

To allow the peritoneal layers to slide against each other with little friction (correct)

To provide nutrients to the organs

To aid in the digestion of food

Which layer of the peritoneum lines the inner surface of the abdominal and pelvic walls?

The parietal peritoneum Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the lesser sac (omental bursa)?

To provide space for the expansion of the stomach Signup and view all the answers

Which layer of the peritoneum is derived from the somatopleuric layer of the lateral plate mesoderm?

The parietal peritoneum Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the greater sac?

To extend from the diaphragm to the pelvic cavity Signup and view all the answers

Which layer of the peritoneum lines the outer surface of the viscera?

The visceral peritoneum Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the superior recess of the lesser sac?

To separate the thoracic and abdominal cavities Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a part of the supracolic compartment?

Intestine Signup and view all the answers

What is the epiploic foramen?

The communication between the lesser and greater sacs Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following structures forms the inferior border of the epiploic foramen?

Superior part of the duodenum Signup and view all the answers

What is the mesentery?

The peritoneal fold that suspends organs from the posterior abdominal wall Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a type of mesentery mentioned in the text?

Gastrosplenic ligament Signup and view all the answers

What is the greater omentum?

Two layers of peritoneum that extend from the stomach and duodenum to neighboring organs Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about the omenta is TRUE?

The omenta are two layers of peritoneum that have fused Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following structures is NOT a border of the epiploic foramen?

Transverse mesocolon Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the mesentery?

To suspend organs from the posterior abdominal wall Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the peritoneal ligaments?

To attach organs to the abdominal wall and/or to other abdominal organs and hold them in position Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a ligament associated with the spleen?

Hepatoduodenal ligament Signup and view all the answers

Where does the greater omentum extend to from the greater curvature of the stomach?

To the duodenum, then down to the transverse colon Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between the lesser omentum and the greater omentum?

The lesser omentum is superior to the greater omentum Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following organs is NOT considered an intraperitoneal organ?

Kidney Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of ascites?

Accumulation of more than 20 milliliters of fluid within the peritoneal cavity Signup and view all the answers

Which ligament attaches the stomach to the liver?

Gastrohepatic ligament Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the neurovascular structures carried by the peritoneal ligaments?

To supply blood and innervation to the abdominal organs Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following organs is NOT considered a retroperitoneal organ?

Spleen Signup and view all the answers

Where does the lesser omentum extend superiorly to from the lesser curvature of the stomach and proximal duodenum?

To the liver Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Peritoneal Cavity and Mesentery

The supracolic compartment is located anterior and superior to the transverse mesocolon, containing the liver, stomach, and spleen.
The infracolic compartment is posterior and inferior to the transverse mesocolon.

Epiploic Foramen ( Lesser Omental Foramen )

The lesser sac communicates with the greater sac via the epiploic foramen.
Borders of the epiploic foramen:
- Anterior: Hepatoduodenal ligament
- Posterior: Inferior vena cava and the right crus of the diaphragm
- Superior: Caudate lobe of the liver
- Inferior: Superior part of the duodenum

Mesentery

The mesentery is a fold of peritoneum that suspends organs from the posterior abdominal wall.
Examples of mesenteries:
- Mesentery (small intestine)
- Transverse mesocolon (large intestine)
- Sigmoid mesocolon (sigmoid colon)
- Mesoappendix (appendix)

Omentum

Omenta are two layers of peritoneum that have fused, extending from the stomach and duodenum to neighboring organs.
Greater omentum hangs like a curtain, covering the anterior surface of the small intestine.

Peritoneum

Peritoneum is a covering of organs, a large serous membrane lining the abdominal cavity.
Divided into:
- Parietal peritoneum (outer layer, lines the inner surface of the abdominal and pelvic walls and the lower surface of the diaphragm)
- Visceral peritoneum (inner layer, lines the outer surface of the viscera)

Peritoneal Cavity

The cavity between the parietal and visceral layers, filled with a small amount of serous peritoneal fluid.
Peritoneal fluid enables the peritoneal layers to slide against each other with little friction.

Divisions of the Peritoneal Cavity

Lesser sac (omental bursa): behind the stomach and liver, in front of the pancreas and duodenum.
Greater sac: extends from the diaphragm to the pelvic cavity, divided into supracolic and infracolic compartments by the transverse mesocolon.

Peritoneal Ligaments

Function:
- Attach organs to the abdominal wall and/or to other abdominal organs and hold them in position.
- Carry neurovascular structures that supply abdominal organs.
Examples of peritoneal ligaments:
- Splenic ligaments (Phrenicocolic ligament, Gastrosplenic ligament, Splenorenal ligament)
- Gastric ligaments (Gastrophrenic ligament, Gastrocolic ligament)
- Hepatic ligaments (Falciform ligament, Gastrohepatic ligament, Hepatoduodenal ligament)

Peritoneal Relations

Intraperitoneal organs are completely wrapped by visceral peritoneum (e.g., spleen, stomach, superior part of the duodenum, transverse colon).
Retroperitoneal organs are found posterior to the peritoneum in the retroperitoneal space, with only their anterior wall covered by the parietal peritoneum (e.g., kidney, glands, ureter).

Ascites

Definition: accumulation of more than 20 milliliters of fluid within the peritoneal cavity.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Learn about the anatomy of the peritoneum, a large serous membrane lining the abdominal cavity and covering organs. Explore the structure, functions, and divisions including the parietal and visceral layers.