Peritoneum Flashcards

Retroperitoneal and Intraperitoneal

• Retroperitoneal: Refers to structures located behind the peritoneum, such as the kidney.
• Intraperitoneal: Refers to structures situated within the peritoneal cavity, including the liver and stomach.

Types of Retroperitoneal Structures

• Primarily Retroperitoneal: Organs that are always covered by the peritoneum on the anterior surface.
• Secondarily Retroperitoneal: Organs that began as intraperitoneal but became retroperitoneal during development.

Organs by Retroperitoneal Classification

• Primary Retroperitoneal Organs: Include the kidney, adrenal gland, ureter, aorta, inferior vena cava (IVC), lower esophagus, and upper rectum.
• Secondarily Retroperitoneal Organs: Include the duodenum, pancreas, and ascending and descending colon.

Mesentery and Ligaments

• Mesentery: A fused double layer of parietal peritoneum that attaches parts of the intestine to the abdominal wall; it connects organs to the body wall or to one another.
• Mesocolon: An extension of the mesentery that anchors the colon to the posterior abdominal wall.

Ligaments Associated with the Liver

• Falciform Ligament: Attaches the liver to the anterior abdominal wall and diaphragm; it is situated between the right and left lobes of the liver.
• Ligamentum Teres: A remnant of the umbilical vein.
• Coronary Ligaments: Connects the liver to the diaphragm.
• Triangular Ligaments: Formed at the apex of the coronary ligaments.

Omenta and Bursa

• Hepatoduodenal Ligament: Connects the liver to the duodenum.
• Hepatogastric Ligament: Connects the liver to the stomach.
• Lesser Omentum: Formed by the hepatogastric and hepatoduodenal ligaments.
• Greater Omentum: A double layer of peritoneum that attaches to the stomach and colon, covering the intestines; also known as the "apron of fat."
• Omental Bursa: A large portion of the greater omentum that drapes over the intestines.

Other Important Structures

• Bare Area of Liver: The part of the liver not covered by peritoneum.
• Epiploic Foramen: An opening leading to the lesser sac of the peritoneum.
• Pyramidalis Muscle: A small muscle located on the inferior surface of the rectus abdominis; if present, originates from the pubic crest and inserts into the linea alba.