Which organs are secondarily retroperitoneal

Based on the surgical observation that the secondary retroperitoneal structures can be separated from the back wall again, this traditional view is questioned. At the place of the assumedly disappeared peritoneum layers on the back wall of the mesocolon and at the front side of the retroperitoneum , layers still are present in the adult. Culligan Views differ as to whether those layers are still mesothelium the characteristic covering tissue of peritoneum.

If so, this would imply that the mesocolon is still present in the adult and the colon and mesocolon are not really merged into the retroperitoneal space. Culligan K, et al. The Mesocolon. Ann Surg ; Region System. This page discusses the secondary retroperitoneal location.

Secondary Retroperitoneal. Secondary retroperitoneal structures originally lied intraperitoneally, but have been pushed aside and adhered to the body wall. The locations of secondary retroperitoneal structures on a cross-section. Some organs originally lied intraperitoneally, but have been pushed to the side during the embryological development. These organs and their mesenteries adhered to the abdominal wall.

Upon opening the peritoneal cavity one sees them lying apparently covered by the peritoneal back wall; apparently retroperitoneally see discussion under 'Read more' below.

As they started out intraperitoneal, one calls this position: secondary retroperitoneal. The abdominal cavity is the open space surrounded by the vertebrae, abdominal muscles, diaphragm, and pelvic floor.

Remember not to confuse the abdominal cavity with the intraperitoneal space, which is located within the abdominal cavity and wrapped in peritoneum tissue. For example, a kidney is inside the abdominal cavity, but is retroperitoneal—located outside the peritoneum. The peritoneum and the kidney : A sagittal section through the posterior abdominal wall, showing the kidney residing outside the peritoneum. Although they ultimately form one continuous sheet, there are two layers of peritoneum and potential space between those layers.

The term mesentery is often used to refer to a double layer of visceral peritoneum. There are generally blood vessels, nerves, and other structures between these layers. The space between the two layers is technically outside of the peritoneal sac, and thus not in the peritoneal cavity.

There are two main regions of the peritoneum, connected by the epiploic foramen also known as the omental foramen or foramen of Winslow. The first is the greater sac or general cavity of the abdomen. The second is the lesser sac or omental bursa. The lesser sac is divided into two omenta: the gastrohepatic and the gastrocolic. The gastrohepatic omentum is attached to the lesser curvature of the stomach and the liver.

The gastrocolic omentum hangs from the greater curve of the stomach and loops down in front of the intestines before curving upwards to attach to the transverse colon. Like a curtain of tissue, it is draped in front of the intestines to insulate and protect them. Substructures of the peritoneum : This is a midsagittal, cross-section drawing of the epiploic foramen, the greater sac or general cavity red , and the lesser sac or omental bursa blue.

The structures in the abdomen are classified as intraperitoneal, retroperitoneal, or infraperitoneal depending on whether they are covered with visceral peritoneum and are attached by mesenteries, such as the mensentery and mesocolon. Toggle navigation.

Institutional subscriptions support Language. Keep me signed in. Forgot your password? Sign in with Facebook. Sign in with Apple. Description The retroperitoneal space retroperitoneum is the anatomical space sometimes a potential space in the abdominal cavity behind the peritoneum.

It has no specific delineating anatomical structures. Retroperitoneal structures Structures that lie behind the peritoneum are termed "retroperitoneal".

Primarily retroperitoneal, meaning the structures were retroperitoneal during the entirety of development: urinary adrenal glands kidneys ureter circulatory aorta inferior vena cava digestive esophagus thoracic part, part inside abdominal cavity is intraperitoneal rectum part, lower third is extraperitoneal Secondarily retroperitoneal, meaning the structures initially were suspended in mesentary and later migrated behind the peritoneum during development: the head, neck, and body of the pancreas but not the tail, which is located in the splenorenal ligament the duodenum, except for the proximal first segment, which is intraperitoneal ascending and descending portions of the colon but not the transverse colon, sigmoid or the cecum Retroperitoneal structures Images.

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