Anatomy

Peritoneum

A membrane of squamous EPITHELIAL CELLS, the mesothelial cells, covered by apical MICROVILLI that allow rapid absorption of fluid and particles in the PERITONEAL CAVITY. The peritoneum is divided into parietal and visceral components. The parietal peritoneum covers the inside of the ABDOMINAL WALL. The visceral peritoneum covers the intraperitoneal organs. The double-layered peritoneum forms the MESENTERY that suspends these organs from the abdominal wall.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

A membrane of squamous EPITHELIAL CELLS, the mesothelial cells, covered by apical MICROVILLI that allow rapid absorption of fluid and particles in the PERITONEAL CAVITY. The peritoneum is divided into parietal and visceral components. The parietal peritoneum covers the inside of the ABDOMINAL WALL. The visceral peritoneum covers the intraperitoneal organs. The double-layered peritoneum forms the MESENTERY that suspends these organs from the abdominal wall.

MeSH Record

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MeSH Record

Synonyms

6 entry terms
  • Parametrium
  • Parietal Peritoneum
  • Peritoneum, Parietal
  • Peritoneum, Visceral
  • Visceral Peritoneum
  • Parametriums

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

24 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings abnormalities, anatomy & histology, blood supply, chemistry, cytology, diagnostic imaging, drug effects, embryology, enzymology, growth & development, immunology, injuries, innervation, metabolism, microbiology, parasitology, pathology, physiology, physiopathology, radiation effects, surgery, transplantation, ultrastructure, virology.

MeSH Record

Indexing Annotation

do not confuse with PERITONEAL CAVITY; "peritoneal cells" = probably PERITONEAL CAVITY/cytol or PERITONEAL FLUID (see ASCITIC FLUID)/pathol but not PERITONEUM/cytol; inflammation = PERITONITIS; PERITONEAL LAVAGE is available

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Numbers

  1. A01.923w.047w.025w.600w
  2. A10w.615w.789w.596w

MeSH Record

NLM Classification

WI 575

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Peritoneum. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D010537. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D010537
  2. Peritoneum. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peritoneum
  3. Peritoneum. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q9629