Peritoneal cavity

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Peritoneal cavity
Details
Precursor intraembryonic coelom
Identifiers
Latin cavitas peritonealis,
saccus serosus peritonei
MeSH D010529
TA98 A10.1.02.001
TA2 3702
TH H3.04.08.0.00011
FMA 14704
Anatomical terminology

The peritoneal cavity is a potential space between the parietal peritoneum (the serous membrane that surrounds the abdominal wall) and visceral peritoneum (which surrounds the internal organs). [1] The parietal and visceral peritonea are layers of the peritoneum named depending on their function/location. It is one of the spaces derived from the coelomic cavity of the embryo, the others being the pleural cavities around the lungs and the pericardial cavity around the heart.

Contents

It is the largest serosal sac, and the largest fluid-filled cavity, [2] in the body and secretes approximately 50 ml of fluid per day. This fluid acts as a lubricant and has anti-inflammatory properties.

The peritoneal cavity is divided into two compartments – one above, and one below the transverse colon. [3]

Compartments

The peritoneal cavity is divided by the transverse colon (and its mesocolon) into an upper supracolic compartment, and a lower infracolic compartment. The liver, spleen, stomach, and lesser omentum are contained within the supracolic compartment. The small intestine surrounded by the ascending, transverse, and descending colon, and the paracolic gutters are contained within the infracolic compartment. [3]

Clinical significance

The peritoneal cavity is a common injection site, used in intraperitoneal injection.[ citation needed ] An increase in the capillary pressure in the abdominal viscera can cause fluid to leave the interstitial space and enter the peritoneal cavity, a condition called ascites.

In cases where cerebrospinal fluid builds up, such as in hydrocephalus, the fluid is commonly diverted to the peritoneal cavity by use of a shunt placed by surgery. [4]

Body fluid sampling from the peritoneal cavity is called peritoneocentesis.

The peritoneal cavity is involved in peritoneal dialysis.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peritoneum</span> Serous membrane that forms lining of abdominal cavity or coelom

The peritoneum is the serous membrane forming the lining of the abdominal cavity or coelom in amniotes and some invertebrates, such as annelids. It covers most of the intra-abdominal organs, and is composed of a layer of mesothelium supported by a thin layer of connective tissue. This peritoneal lining of the cavity supports many of the abdominal organs and serves as a conduit for their blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and nerves.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abdominal cavity</span> Body cavity in the abdominal area

The abdominal cavity is a large body cavity in humans and many other animals that contain organs. It is a part of the abdominopelvic cavity. It is located below the thoracic cavity, and above the pelvic cavity. Its dome-shaped roof is the thoracic diaphragm, a thin sheet of muscle under the lungs, and its floor is the pelvic inlet, opening into the pelvis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Body cavity</span> Internal space within a multicellular organism

A body cavity is any space or compartment, or potential space, in an animal body. Cavities accommodate organs and other structures; cavities as potential spaces contain fluid.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peritonitis</span> Medical condition

Peritonitis is inflammation of the localized or generalized peritoneum, the lining of the inner wall of the abdomen and cover of the abdominal organs. Symptoms may include severe pain, swelling of the abdomen, fever, or weight loss. One part or the entire abdomen may be tender. Complications may include shock and acute respiratory distress syndrome.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pleural cavity</span> Thin fluid-filled space between the two pulmonary pleurae (visceral and parietal) of each lung

The pleural cavity, pleural space, or interpleural space is the potential space between the pleurae of the pleural sac that surrounds each lung. A small amount of serous pleural fluid is maintained in the pleural cavity to enable lubrication between the membranes, and also to create a pressure gradient.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mesothelium</span> Membrane lining body cavities

The mesothelium is a membrane composed of simple squamous epithelial cells of mesodermal origin, which forms the lining of several body cavities: the pleura, peritoneum and pericardium.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mesentery</span> Contiguous fold of tissues that supports the intestines

The mesentery is an organ that attaches the intestines to the posterior abdominal wall and is formed by the double fold of peritoneum. It helps in storing fat and allowing blood vessels, lymphatics, and nerves to supply the intestines, among other functions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peritoneal dialysis</span> Type of dialysis

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a type of dialysis that uses the peritoneum in a person's abdomen as the membrane through which fluid and dissolved substances are exchanged with the blood. It is used to remove excess fluid, correct electrolyte problems, and remove toxins in those with kidney failure. Peritoneal dialysis has better outcomes than hemodialysis during the first couple of years. Other benefits include greater flexibility and better tolerability in those with significant heart disease.

A side stitch is an intense stabbing abdominal pain under the lower edge of the ribcage that occurs during exercise. It is also called a side ache, side cramp, muscle stitch, or simply stitch, and the medical term is exercise-related transient abdominal pain (ETAP). It sometimes extends to shoulder tip pain, and commonly occurs during running, swimming, and horseback riding. Approximately two-thirds of runners will experience at least one episode of a stitch each year. The precise cause is unclear, although it most likely involves irritation of the abdominal lining, and the condition is more likely after consuming a meal or a sugary beverage. If the pain is present only when exercising and is completely absent at rest, in an otherwise healthy person, it does not require investigation. Typical treatment strategies involve deep breathing and/or manual pressure on the affected area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gestational sac</span> Cavity of fluid surrounding an embryo

The gestational sac is the large cavity of fluid surrounding the embryo. During early embryogenesis, it consists of the extraembryonic coelom, also called the chorionic cavity. The gestational sac is normally contained within the uterus. It is the only available structure that can be used to determine if an intrauterine pregnancy exists until the embryo can be identified.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Serous membrane</span> Smooth coating lining contents and inner walls of body cavities

The serous membrane is a smooth tissue membrane of mesothelium lining the contents and inner walls of body cavities, which secrete serous fluid to allow lubricated sliding movements between opposing surfaces. The serous membrane that covers internal organs is called visceral, while the one that covers the cavity wall is called parietal. For instance the parietal peritoneum is attached to the abdominal wall and the pelvic walls. The visceral peritoneum is wrapped around the visceral organs. For the heart, the layers of the serous membrane are called parietal and visceral pericardium. For the lungs they are called parietal and visceral pleura. The visceral serosa of the uterus is called the perimetrium. The potential space between two opposing serosal surfaces is mostly empty except for the small amount of serous fluid.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rectouterine pouch</span> Human female anatomical structure

The rectouterine pouch is the extension of the peritoneum into the space between the posterior wall of the uterus and the rectum in the human female.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paracentesis</span> Form of body fluid sampling procedure

Paracentesis is a form of body fluid sampling procedure, generally referring to peritoneocentesis in which the peritoneal cavity is punctured by a needle to sample peritoneal fluid.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lesser omentum</span>

The lesser omentum is the double layer of peritoneum that extends from the liver to the lesser curvature of the stomach, and to the first part of the duodenum. The lesser omentum is usually divided into these two connecting parts: the hepatogastric ligament, and the hepatoduodenal ligament.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greater omentum</span> Fat sheath under abdominal wall

The greater omentum is a large apron-like fold of visceral peritoneum that hangs down from the stomach. It extends from the greater curvature of the stomach, passing in front of the small intestines and doubles back to ascend to the transverse colon before reaching to the posterior abdominal wall. The greater omentum is larger than the lesser omentum, which hangs down from the liver to the lesser curvature. The common anatomical term "epiploic" derives from "epiploon", from the Greek epipleein, meaning to float or sail on, since the greater omentum appears to float on the surface of the intestines. It is the first structure observed when the abdominal cavity is opened anteriorly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tunica vaginalis</span> Pouch of serous membrane that covers the testes

The tunica vaginalis is a pouch of serous membrane within the scrotum that lines the testis and epididymis, and the inner surface of the scrotum. It is the outermost of the three layers that constitute the capsule of the testis, with the tunica albuginea of penis situated beneath it.

The paracolic gutters are peritoneal recesses – spaces between the colon and the abdominal wall.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peritoneal recesses</span>

Peritoneal recesses are the spaces formed by peritoneum draping over viscera.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peritoneal mesothelioma</span> Medical condition

Peritoneal mesothelioma is the name given to the cancer that attacks the lining of the abdomen. This type of cancer affects the lining that protects the contents of the abdomen and which also provides a lubricating fluid to enable the organs to move and work properly.

The development of the digestive system in the human embryo concerns the epithelium of the digestive system and the parenchyma of its derivatives, which originate from the endoderm. Connective tissue, muscular components, and peritoneal components originate in the mesoderm. Different regions of the gut tube such as the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, etc. are specified by a retinoic acid gradient that causes transcription factors unique to each region to be expressed. Differentiation of the gut and its derivatives depends upon reciprocal interactions between the gut endoderm and its surrounding mesoderm. Hox genes in the mesoderm are induced by a Hedgehog signaling pathway secreted by gut endoderm and regulate the craniocaudal organization of the gut and its derivatives. The gut system extends from the oropharyngeal membrane to the cloacal membrane and is divided into the foregut, midgut, and hindgut.

References

  1. Pannu, HK; Oliphant, M (October 2015). "The subperitoneal space and peritoneal cavity: basic concepts". Abdominal Imaging. 40 (7): 2710–22. doi:10.1007/s00261-015-0429-5. PMC   4584112 . PMID   26006061.
  2. Heimbürger, Olof (1 January 2019). "29 - Peritoneal Physiology". Chronic Kidney Disease, Dialysis, and Transplantation (Fourth Edition). Elsevier: 450–469.e6. doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-52978-5.00029-x. ISBN   9780323529785.
  3. 1 2 Sharma, M; Madambath, JG; Somani, P; Pathak, A; Rameshbabu, CS; Bansal, R; Ramasamy, K; Patil, A (March 2017). "Endoscopic ultrasound of peritoneal spaces". Endoscopic Ultrasound. 6 (2): 90–102. doi: 10.4103/2303-9027.204816 . PMC   5418973 . PMID   28440234.
  4. Adzick, Scott; Thom, Spong; Brock, Burrows; et al. (17 March 2011). "A Randomized Trial of Prenatal versus Postnatal Repair of Myelomeningocele". The New England Journal of Medicine. 364 (11): 993–1004. doi:10.1056/nejmoa1014379. PMC   3770179 . PMID   21306277.