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The serous sac, consisting of mesothelium and a thin layer of irregular connective tissue, that lines the abdominal cavity and covers most of the viscera contained therein; it forms two sacs: the peritoneal (or greater) sac and the omental bursa (lesser sac) connected by the epiploic foramen. SYN: membrana abdominis. [Mod. L. fr. G. peritonaion, fr. periteino, to stretch over]
- p. parietale [TA] SYN: parietal p..
- urogenital p. [TA] p. of the pelvic cavity, including the folds and fossae formed by it. SYN: p. urogenitale [TA].
- p. urogenitale [TA] SYN: urogenital p..
- p. viscerale [TA] SYN: visceral p..
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peri·to·ne·um or chiefly Brit peri·to·nae·um .per-ət-ən-'ē-əm n, pl -ne·ums or chiefly Brit -nae·ums -'ē-əmz or -nea or chiefly Brit -naea -'ē-ə the smooth transparent serous membrane that lines the cavity of the abdomen of a mammal, is folded inward over the abdominal and pelvic viscera, and consists of an outer layer closely adherent to the walls of the abdomen and an inner layer that folds to invest the viscera see PARIETAL PERITONEUM, VISCERAL PERITONEUM compare MESENTERY (1)
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n.
the serous membrane of the abdominal cavity. The parietal peritoneum lines the walls of the abdomen, and the visceral peritoneum covers the abdominal organs. See also mesentery, omentum.
• peritoneal adj.
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peri·to·ne·um (per″ĭ-to-neґəm) [L., from Gr. peritonaion, from per around + teinein to stretch] [TA] the serous membrane lining the abdominopelvic walls (parietal p.) and investing the viscera (visceral p.). A strong, colorless membrane with a smooth surface, it forms a double-layered sac that is closed in the male and is continuous with the mucous membrane of the uterine tubes in the female. The potential space between the parietal and visceral peritoneum is called the peritoneal cavity (see cavitas peritonealis [TA]). peritoneal adj
Course of the peritoneum (gray) in a median sagittal section of a female.
Medical dictionary. 2011.