10 FAQs About the Peritoneum
Article Sources
- 1. 'Peritoneum.' MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 12 April 2021, medlineplus.gov/peritonealdisorders.html
- 2. Kalra, Arjun, Chase J. Wehrle and Faiz Tuma. 'Anatomy, Abdomen and Pelvis, Peritoneum.' StatPearls, January 2021, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534788/
- 3. 'Peritonitis.' Mayo Clinic, mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/peritonitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20376247?p=1
What Is the Purpose of the Space Between Peritoneal Layers?
The peritoneum typically has space between the inner and outer layers, called the parietal and visceral peritoneum. The purpose of this space is to hold serous fluid that allows abdominal organs to move freely in place.2Kalra, Arjun, Chase J. Wehrle and Faiz Tuma. ‘Anatomy, Abdomen and Pelvis, Peritoneum.’ StatPearls, January 2021, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534788/
The outer layer of the membrane is attached to the pelvic and abdominal walls, while the inner layer wraps around the internal organs.2Kalra, Arjun, Chase J. Wehrle and Faiz Tuma. ‘Anatomy, Abdomen and Pelvis, Peritoneum.’ StatPearls, January 2021, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534788/ The fluid found in this area may also prevent friction from adversely impacting abdominal organs.2Kalra, Arjun, Chase J. Wehrle and Faiz Tuma. ‘Anatomy, Abdomen and Pelvis, Peritoneum.’ StatPearls, January 2021, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534788/
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