CoursesAnatomyAbdomenPeritoneumPeritoneal relations

CoursesAnatomyAbdomenPeritoneumPeritoneal relations

Peritoneal relations

Learning objectives

This study unit will help you to:

Learn about the abdominal cavity, its organs and recesses.
Gain an understanding of the peritoneum and its features.
Distinguish between the intraperitoneal and retroperitoneal structures.

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The peritoneum is a double-layered serous membrane that envelopes the abdominal organs and lines the walls of the abdominal cavity. The two layers are the visceral and parietal peritoneum.

According to their position in relation to the peritoneum, the organs of the abdominopevic region can be divided into two major groups:

Intraperitoneal organs
Extraperitoneal organs (retroperitoneal and infraperitoneal)

This video tutorial will provide you with an overview of peritoneal relations:

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Now that you have watched the video about peritoneal relations, test your knowledge by taking our quiz.

Browse atlas

Now you can study each structure individually with our image gallery:

Summary

Key points about the peritoneal relations
Intraperitoneal structures	Stomach, superior part of the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, cecum/appendix, transverse colon, sigmoid colon, liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas (tail), female reproductive organs (ovaries, uterus and uterine tubes)
Primary retroperitoneal organs	Esophagus, anal canal, kidneys, suprarenal (adrenal) glands, ureters, aorta, inferior vena cava
Secondary retroperitoneal organs	Pancreas (head, neck and body), distal duodenum, ascending colon, descending colon, proximal one-third of rectum
Infraperitoneal organs	Inferior two thirds of rectum, urinary bladder
Recesses	Duodenal recesses, cecal recesses, intersigmoid recess

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