Peritoneal Cavity
The peritoneal cavity is the space in our body which encloses certain vital organs. Read on for information on the peritoneal cavity, its location, the organs it contains, the peritoneal fluid and some of the diseases associated with it.
The potential space enclosed by the layers of peritoneum in the abdomen is known as peritoneal cavity.
The peritoneal cavity is one of the cavities in the coelom of mammals, the others being the pericardial cavity and the pleural cavity. The space between the two membranes, parietal and visceral peritoneum, forms the cavity. The parietal membrane is the outer membrane and visceral, the inner. These membranes are smooth, transparent and semi permeable, and form the lining of the abdomen.
This cavity is divided into two parts - greater sac and lesser sac. The greater sac is further divided into supracolic and infracolic compartments by the transverse colon. The supracolic compartment includes the liver, gallbladder and stomach, whereas, the infracolic compartment consists of intestines. The lesser sac, or the omental bursa, is situated behind the stomach and opens into the cavity through the epiploic foramen.
Peritoneal Cavity Location
The peritoneal cavity is located in the abdomen, the thoracic cavity being above it and the pelvic cavity below. It is present posterior to the diaphragm. The diaphragm separates the peritoneal and the pleural cavities.
Peritoneal Cavity Diagram
Here's a diagram, showing the peritoneal membranes and the various organs covered by the peritoneum.
Peritoneal Cavity Organs
The visceral peritoneum covers the organs that are suspended from the wall of the abdomen. Organs which are covered by the peritoneum and have supporting mesentery are known as 'intra-peritoneal organs'. The liver, spleen, gallbladder, transverse colon and the small intestine are examples of intra-peritoneal organs. The organs which are only partially covered by the peritoneum and without supporting mesentery are the 'retroperitoneal or extraperitoneal organs'. They are the pancreas, kidneys, uterus, duodenum, bladder, and ascending and descending colon.
The peritoneal cavity is closed in males, whereas, in females there is a connection between the peritoneal cavity and the reproductive organs as the uterine tubes or the oviducts open laterally into the cavity. This is the main reason for women being at a high risk for peritoneal infections.
The peritoneum also contains a small amount of pale yellow lubricating fluid. About 50 ml of serous fluid is secreted per day. This fluid helps to reduce the friction between the organs present in the abdominal cavity. It contains white blood cells, antibodies and some biochemicals. Sometimes the level of the fluid in the peritoneal cavity increases and it leads to excess accumulation of the fluid in the abdomen. This excess fluid is called ascitic fluid and the condition of accumulation of fluid is known as ascites, which is a common cause of the liver disease, cirrhosis. Ascites symptoms may include increased abdominal girth, extreme fatigue or shortness of breath. The fluid level can be maintained by water restriction or diuretics, which help in flushing out the excess body fluids through urine.
Peritoneal Cancer
Peritoneal cancer, also known as peritoneal mesothelioma, is a rare type of cancer, often confused with ovarian cancer. It remains unnoticed for a long period of time, until it becomes quite serious. This is because peritoneal cancer has symptoms which are very vague and difficult to make out. It is only when the symptoms become too severe that one realizes that he has fallen prey to it. The common symptoms are:
The peritoneal cavity plays an important role in the functioning of the digestive system by protecting and lubricating the various digestive organs.
The peritoneal cavity is one of the cavities in the coelom of mammals, the others being the pericardial cavity and the pleural cavity. The space between the two membranes, parietal and visceral peritoneum, forms the cavity. The parietal membrane is the outer membrane and visceral, the inner. These membranes are smooth, transparent and semi permeable, and form the lining of the abdomen.
This cavity is divided into two parts - greater sac and lesser sac. The greater sac is further divided into supracolic and infracolic compartments by the transverse colon. The supracolic compartment includes the liver, gallbladder and stomach, whereas, the infracolic compartment consists of intestines. The lesser sac, or the omental bursa, is situated behind the stomach and opens into the cavity through the epiploic foramen.
Peritoneal Cavity Location
The peritoneal cavity is located in the abdomen, the thoracic cavity being above it and the pelvic cavity below. It is present posterior to the diaphragm. The diaphragm separates the peritoneal and the pleural cavities.
Peritoneal Cavity Diagram
Here's a diagram, showing the peritoneal membranes and the various organs covered by the peritoneum.
Peritoneal Cavity Organs
The visceral peritoneum covers the organs that are suspended from the wall of the abdomen. Organs which are covered by the peritoneum and have supporting mesentery are known as 'intra-peritoneal organs'. The liver, spleen, gallbladder, transverse colon and the small intestine are examples of intra-peritoneal organs. The organs which are only partially covered by the peritoneum and without supporting mesentery are the 'retroperitoneal or extraperitoneal organs'. They are the pancreas, kidneys, uterus, duodenum, bladder, and ascending and descending colon.
The peritoneal cavity is closed in males, whereas, in females there is a connection between the peritoneal cavity and the reproductive organs as the uterine tubes or the oviducts open laterally into the cavity. This is the main reason for women being at a high risk for peritoneal infections.
The peritoneum also contains a small amount of pale yellow lubricating fluid. About 50 ml of serous fluid is secreted per day. This fluid helps to reduce the friction between the organs present in the abdominal cavity. It contains white blood cells, antibodies and some biochemicals. Sometimes the level of the fluid in the peritoneal cavity increases and it leads to excess accumulation of the fluid in the abdomen. This excess fluid is called ascitic fluid and the condition of accumulation of fluid is known as ascites, which is a common cause of the liver disease, cirrhosis. Ascites symptoms may include increased abdominal girth, extreme fatigue or shortness of breath. The fluid level can be maintained by water restriction or diuretics, which help in flushing out the excess body fluids through urine.
Peritoneal Cancer
Peritoneal cancer, also known as peritoneal mesothelioma, is a rare type of cancer, often confused with ovarian cancer. It remains unnoticed for a long period of time, until it becomes quite serious. This is because peritoneal cancer has symptoms which are very vague and difficult to make out. It is only when the symptoms become too severe that one realizes that he has fallen prey to it. The common symptoms are:
- Nausea
- Frequent urination
- Constipation
- Pain in the abdomen
- Loss of appetite
- Unexplained weight gain or loss
- Vaginal bleeding
The peritoneal cavity plays an important role in the functioning of the digestive system by protecting and lubricating the various digestive organs.
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