Peritoneum
Description
Largest serous membrane in the body, covering abdominal cavity.
Parietal peritoneum
Outer layer attached to abdominal and pelvic walls. Derived from somatic mesoderm.
Visceral peritoneum
Inner layer wraps visceral organs, located inside the intraperitoneal space. Derived from splanchnic mesoderm.
Development
Retropertinoeum
Description:
Contents:
- S = Suprarenal (adrenal) Glands
- A = Aorta/IVC
- D = Duodenum (except the proximal 2cm, the duodenal cap)
- P = Pancreas (except the tail)
- U = Ureters
- C = Colon (ascending and descending parts)
- K = Kidneys
- E = Oesophagus
- R = Rectum
Peritoneal cavity
- A potential space between the parietal peritnoneum lining the abdominal wall, and the infoldings of the visceral peritoneum, which suspend the abdominal viscera within the cavity
- Contains lubricating serous fluid (water, proteins, electrolytes, solutes)