1535–45; < Late Latin, variant spelling of peritonaeum < Greek peritónaion, noun use of neuter of peritónaios, synonymous derivative of perítonos stretched round. See peri-, tone, -eous
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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| thin branching fibers of tissue that form a network ramifying through other tissues and organs |
| large white blood cell that ingests foreign particles and infectious microorganisms by phagocytosis |
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peritoneum
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peritoneum per·i·to·ne·um or per·i·to·nae·um (pěr'ĭ-tn-ē'əm)
n. pl. per·i·to·ne·a or per·i·to·nae·a (-tn-ē'ə)
The serous sac consisting of mesothelium and a thin layer of irregular connective tissue that lines the abdominal cavity, covers most of the viscera contained therein, and itself forms two cavities, the peritoneal and the omental bursa, which are connected by the epiploic foramen.
per'i·to·ne'al adj.
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peritoneum  (pěr'ĭ-tn-ē'əm) Pronunciation Key
Plural peritonea The membrane that lines the walls of the abdomen and the pelvis (called the parietal peritoneum) and encloses the abdominal and pelvic organs (called the visceral peritoneum.) The space between the two, the peritoneal cavity, fills with inflammatory cells and pus when the peritoneum becomes infected. |
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peritoneum
large membrane in the abdominal cavity that connects and supports internal organs. It is composed of many folds that pass between or around the various organs. Two folds are of primary importance: the omentum, which hangs in front of the stomach and intestine; and the mesentery, which attaches the small intestine and much of the large intestine to the posterior abdominal cavity.
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