Peritoneum

The peritoneum is a thin, serous membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and covers the abdominal organs. It is composed of two layers:

• Parietal peritoneum: lines the internal surface of the abdominal and pelvic walls.

• Visceral peritoneum: covers the outer surfaces of most abdominal organs.

The space between these layers is known as the peritoneal cavity, which contains a small amount of lubricating serous fluid allowing the organs to move smoothly against each other.

Here are the related structures of the peritoneum in the Terminologia Anatomica:

• Parietal peritoneum

• Visceral peritoneum

• Peritoneal cavity

• Omental foramen [Epiploic foramen]

• Omental bursa

• Supraomental recess

• Greater omentum [Epiplon]

• Mesoduodenum

• Mesentery

• Mesocolon

• Mesorectum

• Lesser omentum

• Falciform ligament of liver

• Coronary ligament of liver

• Right triangular ligament

• Left triangular ligament

• Hepatorenal ligament

• Duodenocolic fold

• Caudal duodenal recess

• Ileocaecal fold

• Cecocolic fold

• Median vesical ligament

• Lateral vesical ligament

• Inguinal triangle

• Lateral inguinal fossa

• Mesorchium

• Mesoductus deferens

• Mesepididymis

• Bursa testicularis [Sinus epididymalis]

• Peritoneal vaginal process

• Plica genitalis

• Broad ligament of uterus

• Suspensory ligament of ovary

• Rectogenital pouch

• Vesicogenital pouch

• Pubovesical pouch

• Retroperitoneal space