Space
Peritoneum
Continuous serous surface lining walls and covering viscera
High-yield
Most parietal peritoneum has somatic sensory supply and can produce localized pain; visceral pathways more often produce poorly localized or referred sensations. The central diaphragmatic peritoneum is an important phrenic-nerve exception to simple local referral.
Overview
Peritoneum covers much of the abdominopelvic wall and reflects onto many organs. Its parietal and visceral portions are continuous, enclosing a lubricated potential space. Mesenteries and omenta are folds of this membrane that support organs and carry their neurovascular connections.
Reference facts
- Boundaries
- Parietal peritoneum lines abdominal/pelvic walls and diaphragm; visceral peritoneum covers organ surfaces. In people with patent uterine tubes, the cavity communicates through the reproductive tract.
- Contents
- The cavity itself normally contains a small lubricating fluid volume. Intraperitoneal organs are covered by visceral peritoneum and project into this arrangement; they do not float inside the serous-fluid space.
- Communications
- Greater and lesser sacs connect through the epiploic foramen; mesenteries divide the greater sac into communicating regions, including supracolic/infracolic compartments and paracolic routes.
Clinical correlation
Appendicitis illustrates changing pain pathways: visceral inflammation may first be perceived near the umbilicus, then irritation of local parietal peritoneum can produce more localized tenderness and guarding. This sequence varies and is not required for the diagnosis.
Frequently asked questions
What are the boundaries of the peritoneum?
Parietal peritoneum lines abdominal/pelvic walls and diaphragm; visceral peritoneum covers organ surfaces. In people with patent uterine tubes, the cavity communicates through the reproductive tract.
What does the peritoneum contain?
The cavity itself normally contains a small lubricating fluid volume. Intraperitoneal organs are covered by visceral peritoneum and project into this arrangement; they do not float inside the serous-fluid space.
What does the peritoneum communicate with?
Greater and lesser sacs connect through the epiploic foramen; mesenteries divide the greater sac into communicating regions, including supracolic/infracolic compartments and paracolic routes.