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Ultrasound
Anatomy
Abdomen
Peritoneal Spaces and Structures
Peritoneal Spaces and Structures
Jade Wong-You-Cheong, MBChB, MRCP, FRCR, FSRU, FSAR
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TERMINOLOGY

  • Definitions

    • Peritoneal cavity: Potential space in abdomen between visceral and parietal peritoneum, usually containing only small amount of peritoneal fluid (for lubrication)
    • Abdominal cavity: Not synonymous with peritoneal cavity
      • Limited by abdominal wall muscles, diaphragm, and (arbitrarily) by pelvic brim
    • Peritoneum divides peritoneal cavity from subperitoneal space, which contains all abdominal viscera, ligaments, and mesenteries

GROSS ANATOMY

  • Divisions

    • Compartments Divided by Transverse Mesocolon

      • Peritoneum

        • Mesentery

          • Omentum

            • Ligaments

              • Folds

                • Peritoneal Recesses

                  ANATOMY IMAGING ISSUES

                  • Imaging Recommendations

                    • Imaging Pitfalls

                      Selected References

                      1. Pannu HK et al: The subperitoneal space and peritoneal cavity: basic concepts. Abdom Imaging. 40(7):2710-22, 2015
                      2. Tirkes T et al: Peritoneal and retroperitoneal anatomy and its relevance for cross-sectional imaging. Radiographics. 32(2):437-51, 2012
                      Related Anatomy
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                      Related Differential Diagnoses
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                      References
                      Tables

                      Tables

                      TERMINOLOGY

                      • Definitions

                        • Peritoneal cavity: Potential space in abdomen between visceral and parietal peritoneum, usually containing only small amount of peritoneal fluid (for lubrication)
                        • Abdominal cavity: Not synonymous with peritoneal cavity
                          • Limited by abdominal wall muscles, diaphragm, and (arbitrarily) by pelvic brim
                        • Peritoneum divides peritoneal cavity from subperitoneal space, which contains all abdominal viscera, ligaments, and mesenteries

                      GROSS ANATOMY

                      • Divisions

                        • Compartments Divided by Transverse Mesocolon

                          • Peritoneum

                            • Mesentery

                              • Omentum

                                • Ligaments

                                  • Folds

                                    • Peritoneal Recesses

                                      ANATOMY IMAGING ISSUES

                                      • Imaging Recommendations

                                        • Imaging Pitfalls

                                          Selected References

                                          1. Pannu HK et al: The subperitoneal space and peritoneal cavity: basic concepts. Abdom Imaging. 40(7):2710-22, 2015
                                          2. Tirkes T et al: Peritoneal and retroperitoneal anatomy and its relevance for cross-sectional imaging. Radiographics. 32(2):437-51, 2012