Abdominal cavity
Cavitas abdominis
Definition
The abdominal cavity is a body space which extends from the diaphragm above, to the pelvic inlet or pelvic brim below. It is lined by parietal peritoneum. In fact, the abdominal and pelvic cavities are continuous entities, forming one large abdominopelvic peritoneal cavity.
The abdomen houses most of the viscera of digestive system, the spleen and various components of the urogenital system. Some are suspended into the abdominal cavity by mesentery, hence called intraperitoneal. While others are retroperitoneal, which lie outside the abdominal cavity i.e. between the parietal peritoneum and the abdominal wall. A few examples of retroperitoneal structures include the pancreas, kidneys, ureters, ascending and descending colon, large vessels, nerves and lymphatics including the aorta and inferior vena cava, azygous and hemiazygos veins, thoracic duct, etc.
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