Peritoneum      Structures       Development       Disease states      Classification of abdominal structures

Peritoneum Structures

There are two main regions of the peritoneum, connected by the epiploic foramen:

• the greater sac (or general cavity of the abdomen), represented in red in the diagrams above.
• the lesser sac (or omental bursa), represented in blue. The lesser sac is divided into two "omenta":
• The lesser omentum (or gastrohepatic) is attached to the lesser curvature of the stomach and the liver.
• The greater omentum (or gastrocolic) hangs from the greater curve of the stomach and loops down in front of the intestines before curving back upwards to attach to the transverse colon. In effect it is draped in front of the intestines like an apron and may serve as an insulating or protective layer.

The mesentery is the part of the peritoneum through which most abdominal organs are attached to the abdominal wall and supplied with blood and lymph vessels and nerves.

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The epiploic foramen, greater sac or general cavity (red) and lesser sac, or omental bursa (blue).

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Horizontal disposition of the peritoneum in the upper part of the abdomen. (Areas outlined in blue and red correspond to above diagram.)

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