What is peritoneal space
William Taylor
Updated on March 23, 2026
(PAYR-ih-toh-NEE-ul KA-vuh-tee) The space within the abdomen that contains the intestines, the stomach, and the liver.
What organs are in the peritoneal space?
The peritoneum is comprised of 2 layers: the superficial parietal layer and the deep visceral layer. The peritoneal cavity contains the omentum, ligaments, and mesentery. Intraperitoneal organs include the stomach, spleen, liver, first and fourth parts of the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, transverse, and sigmoid colon.
Where is the peritoneal area?
So let’s start with the basics; the Peritoneum is a serous membrane which lines the walls of the abdominal cavity and lies on abdominal and pelvic organs. Between its two layers – parietal and visceral – is the peritoneal cavity. The peritoneum functions to support and protect abdominopelvic organs.
What is the peritoneal?
Summary. Your peritoneum is the tissue that lines your abdominal wall and covers most of the organs in your abdomen. A liquid, peritoneal fluid, lubricates the surface of this tissue. Disorders of the peritoneum are not common.What does retroperitoneal space mean?
The retroperitoneum is an anatomical space located behind the abdominal or peritoneal cavity. Abdominal organs that are not suspended by the mesentery and lie between the abdominal wall and parietal peritoneum are said to lie within the retroperitoneum. Several individual spaces make up the retroperitoneum.
Are the kidneys in the peritoneal cavity?
The kidneys are bean-shaped organs located in the upper retroperitoneal region of the abdomen. That is, they are located behind the smooth peritoneal lining of the upper part of the abdominal cavity, between it and the posterior body wall. Therefore, they are actually outside the peritoneal cavity.
Why is female peritoneum open?
The peritoneal cavity is not completely closed in females – the uterine tubes open into the peritoneal cavity, providing a potential pathway between the female genital tract and the abdominal cavity.
What are the two types of peritoneum?
- Parietal peritoneum is that portion that lines the abdominal and pelvic cavities. …
- Visceral peritoneum covers the external surfaces of most abdominal organs, including the intestinal tract.
What are 4 signs of peritonitis?
- Severe belly pain that gets worse with any motion.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Fever.
- Sore or swollen belly.
- Fluid in the belly.
- Not being able to have a bowel movement or pass gas.
- Less urine than normal.
- Thirst.
The bladder is a relatively free organ in the subcutaneous fat of the sub peritoneum except for some fixed ligamentous connections at the bladder neck. The superior and part of the posterior surfaces of the bladder are covered by peritoneum.
Article first time published onWhat is the difference between peritoneum and perineum?
As nouns the difference between peritoneum and perineum is that peritoneum is (anatomy) in mammals, the serous membrane lining the cavity of the abdomen and that is folded over the viscera while perineum is perineum.
What is the difference between retroperitoneal and peritoneal?
Intraperitoneal space refers to the space within the peritoneum, which is a thin transparent membrane, lining the abdominal cavity, while retroperitoneal space refers to the space occurring outside the peritoneum. Thus, this is the main difference between intraperitoneal and retroperitoneal space.
What does retroperitoneal mean in medical terms?
(REH-troh-PAYR-ih-toh-NEE-ul) Having to do with the area outside or behind the peritoneum (the tissue that lines the abdominal wall and covers most of the organs in the abdomen).
What does retroperitoneal mean in terms of the kidney?
The kidneys are considered “retroperitoneal” organs, which means they sit behind a lining in the abdominal cavity, unlike all other abdominal organs.
What does a retroperitoneal ultrasound show?
A retroperitoneal ultrasound is a diagnostic test used to examine the area behind the intestines and other abdominal organs. It allows doctors to view the patient’s kidneys and ureters and can help diagnose a number of conditions, such as renal cysts or gallstones. This procedure is painless and relatively quick.
What is the other name for peritoneum?
abdominal muscleabdominalstummy muscleviscera
Is the uterus intra peritoneal?
The body of the uterus is surrounded by peritoneum, hence it lies intraperitoneal. The first part of the rectum lies posterior to the peritoneum, hence it is retroperitoneal. … The kidneys, and the large vessels – the aorta and the inferior vena cava- lie posterior to the peritoneal cavity: retroperitoneal.
Where is peritoneal fluid found?
A liquid that is made in the abdominal cavity to lubricate the surface of the tissue that lines the abdominal wall and pelvic cavity and covers most of the organs in the abdomen.
Where is the left kidney located in the human body?
Your kidneys are on each side of the backbone, beneath the rib cage. The left kidney sits slightly higher than the right. These bean-shaped organs filter waste out of your body as part of the urinary system. They also have many other important jobs.
What are the symptoms of liver and kidney disease?
- Skin and eyes that appear yellowish (jaundice)
- Abdominal pain and swelling.
- Swelling in the legs and ankles.
- Itchy skin.
- Dark urine color.
- Pale stool color.
- Chronic fatigue.
- Nausea or vomiting.
What are the 7 functions of the kidney?
- A – controlling ACID-base balance.
- W – controlling WATER balance.
- E – maintaining ELECTROLYTE balance.
- T – removing TOXINS and waste products from the body.
- B – controlling BLOOD PRESSURE.
- E – producing the hormone ERYTHROPOIETIN.
- D – activating vitamin D.
What organs are affected by peritonitis?
Peritonitis is inflammation of the membranes of the abdominal wall and organs. Peritonitis is a life-threatening emergency that needs prompt medical treatment. The abdominal organs, such as the stomach and liver, are wrapped in a thin, tough membrane called the visceral peritoneum.
Can you recover from peritonitis?
If you’re diagnosed with peritonitis, you’ll need treatment in hospital to get rid of the infection. This might take 10 to 14 days. Treatment usually involves being given antibiotics into a vein (intravenously).
What antibiotics treat peritonitis?
Commonly used antibiotics for the treatment of peritonitis include beta-lactams (penicillins), carbapenems (beta-lactamase−resistant beta-lactams), cephalosporins (semi-synthetic beta-lactams), and quinolones (such as ciprofloxacin).
Is omentum and peritoneal the same?
Summary – Peritoneum vs Omentum The peritoneum is a serous membrane that lines the abdomino-pelvic cavity and supports and protects abdominal organs. Omentum, on the other hand, is a fold of the peritoneum. Omenta form connections between the stomach and the duodenum.
What holds the bowel in place?
The mesentery is a fold of membrane that attaches the intestine to the abdominal wall and holds it in place.
Is mesentery the same as peritoneum?
A mesentery = a double layer of peritoneum, caused by invagination of an organ into the peritoneum, that connects the organ to the body wall and gives pathway to blood vessels, nerves and lymphatic ducts between the organ and the body wall.
Where is the female bladder situated?
The urinary bladder is a muscular sac in the pelvis, just above and behind the pubic bone. When empty, the bladder is about the size and shape of a pear. Urine is made in the kidneys and travels down two tubes called ureters to the bladder.
What is the function of the perineum?
The perineum is the area between the genitals and the anus. 7 It supports the pelvic floor, the bottom of the pelvic cavity that holds your intestines, bladder, and other internal organs. Muscles and nerves that run through this small area control sexual function and the urinary and excretory systems.
What is the perineum made of?
The perineal membrane is a sheet of fibrous tissue and has thickened attachments along the borders of the urogenital triangle. It is also known as inferior fascia of urogenital diaphragm.
What function do the peritoneal membranes provide for the organs inside of this Coelomic cavity?
It covers most of the intra-abdominal (or coelomic) organs, and is composed of a layer of mesothelium supported by a thin layer of connective tissue. This peritoneal lining of the cavity supports many of the abdominal organs and serves as a conduit for their blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and nerves.