Transverse mesocolon

The transverse mesocolon is a broad, meso-fold of peritoneum, which connects the transverse colon to the posterior wall of the abdomen.

It is continuous with the two posterior layers of the greater omentum, which, after separating to surround the transverse colon, join behind it, and are continued backward to the vertebral column, where they diverge in front of the anterior border of the pancreas.

This fold contains between its layers the vessels (middle colic artery and vein) which supply the transverse colon.

The transverse mesocolon divides the abdominal cavity into supracolic compartment (and infracolic compartments (superior and inferior to the transverse mesocolon, respectively):

• The supracolic compartment is localized superior to the transverse mesocolon and contains:

  • stomach

  • liver

  • spleen

• The infracolic compartment inferior to the transverse mesocolon and contains:

  • small intestine

  • ascending and descending colon

The transverse mesocolon is a derivative of dorsal mesentery in the embryo.