The Peritoneum and Peritoneal Reflections

What forms the superior limit of the abdominal cavity?

thoracic diaphragm

What forms the inferior limit of the abdominal cavity?

pelvic cavity (continuous)

What forms the anterior and lateral limits of the abdominal cavity?

abdominal muscles

What forms the posterior limit of the abdominal cavity?

lumbar vertebrae

Where does the peritoneal cavity sit relative to the abdominal cavity?

inside the abdominal cavity

What is parietal peritoneum?

layers of peritoneum lining the abdominal wall, inferior surface of the diaphragm and the pelvic wall

What is visceral peritoneum?

layers of peritoneum that specifically cover organs

True or false: parietal and visceral peritoneum are continuous with each other

true

What is meant by retroperitoneal?

situated outside peritoneum and in contact with the body wall

Give an example of a retroperitoneal organ:

kidneys

What is meant by intraperitoneal?

suspended from abdominal wall by a double layered fold of peritoneum

Give an example of a intraperitoneal organ?

small intestine (jejunum and ilium)

Describe the role of the dorsal mesentery during development?

the whole gut tube has a dorsal mesentery to separate the gut from the body wall, allowing it to grow longer than the body cavity

Describe the mesentery of the transverse colon:

the transverse mesocolon positions the transverse colon horizontally across the posterior abdominal wall

What structure separates the greater sac into supracolic and infracolic compartments?

mesocolic shelf

True or false: most mesenteries are derivatives of the dorsal mesentery from development

true

Give 3 examples of secondarily retroperitoneal organs:

1) ascending colon

2) descending colon

3) duodenum

What are the two divisions of the peritoneal cavity known as?

1) greater sac

2) lesser sac

What are the two divisions of the greater sac known as?

1) supracolic compartments

2) infracolic compartments

Where is the lesser sac located?

posterior to the stomach

Where is the falciform ligament found?

between liver and anterior abdominal wall

Where is the gastrosplenic ligament found?

between stomach and spleen

Where is the lienorenal ligament found?

between the spleen and kidney

What structure divides the greater sac into the supracolic and infracolic compartments?

transverse colon

Give 8 features of the supracolic compartment:

1) falciform ligament

2) subphrenic recess

3) coronary ligaments

4) lesser omentum

5) epiploic foramen

6) lienorenal ligament

7) gastrosplenic ligament

8) hepatorenal recess

Give 2 features of the infracolic compartment:

1) paracolic gutters

2) the mesentery (around small intestine)