The peritoneum &
its reflections
J.C. BYIRINGIRO
MD, MCS (ECSA), MMED
Peritoneum
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2 KINDS
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ELABORATES EXUDATE
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Parietal (P)
Visceral (V)
Leucocytes
Ease movements of viscera
WALL OFF INFECTION & LOCALIZE IT
STORE FAT
SENSITIVE
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Visceral - Stretch
Parietal - Pain, T0, touch & pressure
Peritoneum
Peritoneum & viscera during
development
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STOMACH
Rapid enlargement
 Displacement & its rotation by liver to Left
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DUODENUM
Rotates Right
 Mesentery merges with dorsal mesentery
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Peritoneum & viscera
Formation of retroperitoneal gut
Development of mesenteries &
peritoneal sacs in Transv.Sect.
Development of mesenteries &
peritoneal sacs in Longit. Section
Peritoneal formations
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The peritoneal cavity houses a great length of gut,
most of which is covered with peritoneum.
Extensive continuities are required between the
parietal and visceral peritoneum to convey the
necessary neurovascular structures from the body
wall to the viscera.
The parietal and visceral peritoneum lining the
peritoneal cavity have a much greater surface area
than the skin; therefore, the peritoneum must be
highly convoluted.
Definitions - ligs, omenta & mes
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PERITONEAL LIGAMENTSS
= 2 folds of peritoneum connecting viscera to
abdominal wall
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OMENTUM
= 2 folds of peritoneum connecting stomach to
another viscus e.g. greater & lesser omenta
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MESENTERY
= 2 folds of peritoneum connecting intestines
to post abdominal wall in adults. For children
it is post and anterior
Subdivisions of the Peritoneal
Cavity
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Greater and lesser peritoneal sacs
The transverse mesocolon (mesentery of
the transverse colon) divides the abdominal
cavity into:
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Supracolic compartment, containing the
stomach, liver, and spleen, and an
Infracolic compartment, containing the small
intestine and ascending and descending colon.
Subdivisions of the Peritoneal
Cavity Ctn’d.
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The infracolic compartment is divided into
right and left infracolic spaces by the
mesentery of the small intestine.
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Free communication occurs between the
supracolic and the infracolic compartments
through the paracolic gutters.