Structure of peritoneum

Where does it come from?

There are two layers which are continuous
with each other, the parietal and the
visceral peritoneum
The parietal layer is derived from the somatic mesoderm and has the same nerve
supply as the abdominal region that it covers

The visceral peritoneum is derived from the splanchnic mesoderm and covers the
viscera

The peritoneal cavity is a potential cavity between these two layers and only
contains a small amount of fluid.

Th abdominal cavity is only recognised as a cavity once it is opened either via a

laparotomy or a laparoscopy
The three primary germ
layers
Ectoderm-outer covering of the embryo
Endoderm-Deep to the ectoderm
forming the lingo of the primitive gut
Mesoderm- layer developing between
the two
 Peritoneal Reflections

Omentum

• Lesser Omentum— double layer peritoneum

from porta hepatis

• Greater Omentum— hangs down like an apron

from greater curve of the stomach
 Mesentaries

• Mesentary Proper— double fold of peritoneum

suspends jejenum and ileum from post
abdominal wall

• Transverse mesocolon—connects posterior

surface of colon to post abdominal wall

• Sigmoid mesocolon.

• Mesoappendix — connects appendix to

mesentary of ilium
 Peritoneal folds

Umbilical folds.

lateral umbilical folds.

medial umbilical folds
median umbilical fold

Retrouterine folds

Ileocaecal folds
 Peritoneal ligaments

Gastrospenic ligaments
Splenorenal ligament
Gastrophrenic ligament
Gastrocolic ligament
Phrenicocolic ligament
Falciform ligament
Ligament Teres Hepatis
Coronary ligaments
Ligamentum Venosum
 Abdominal cavity

Lesser sac= Omental Bursa

Irregular space behind liver, lesser momentum
upper part of greater momentum
Closed sac

• 3 recesses
Superior recess-liver stomach and lesser
omentum

Inferior recess- Stomach and greater momentum

Splenic recess - extends to the hilus of spleen

 Greater sac

Extends across the entire area of abdomen from

pelvic floor to the diaphragm

5 recesses

Subphrenic
Subhepatic
Hepatorenal
(Morrisons pouch formed by the sub hepatic and
hepatorenal)
Paracolic recess
 Epiploic foramen

Superior =Peritoneum of caudate lobe liver

Inferior = Peritoenum of first part of duodenum

Anterior = Free edge of lesser momentum

Posterior = Peritoenum covering IVC

 Peritoneal Compartments
Dividing Line is the attachment of the transverse
mesocolon

Supracolic compartment
• Right upper
• Right lower
• Left upper
• Left lower

Infracloic
• right
• left

Pelvic