Anatomy
The Gut And The Peritoneal Cavity
Compiled By Muchiri Simon
Edition: 2024/25
, Medical & Nursing | Anatomy I of IV pages
1. What type of epithelium is the peritoneum?
Simple squamous epithelium - mesothelium
2. What is contained in the peritoneal cavity?
Nothing - there is only a small amount of fluid and it is a potential space
3. Which germ layers does the gut tube develop from?
Endoderm and splanchnic mesoderm
4. What do the peritoneal folds act as a conduit for?
Nerves, blood vessels, lymphatics
5. What is the difference between intraperitoneal and retroperitoneal?
Intraperitoneal is totally wrapped in peritoneum whereas retroperitoneal is behind the peritoneum and is not
6. State three viscera that are secondarily retroperitoneal.
Duodenum, pancreas (not tail), colon (ascending and descending only)
7. State some viscera that were retroperitoneal from the start of development
Kidneys, great vessels, adrenal glands, oesophagus, rectum
8. What are the three divisions of the gut tube and what defines their borders?
Foregut - from the distal 1/3 of the oesophagus to the major duodenal papilla (entrance of the bile duct to the
Midgut - 2nd part of the duodenum to 2/3 of the way along the transverse colon
Hindgut - final 1/3 of the transverse colon to the rectum
9. Which mesenteries suspend the different parts of the gut tube?
The entire gut tube is suspended by dorsal mesentery
The foregut is ALSO suspended by ventral mesentery
10. What does the ventral mesentery split into?
Falciform ligament and the lesser omentum
11. How is the lesser sac (omental bursa) formed?
The liver moves right and the stomach and the spleen move left with the dorsal mesentery thus cutting off a
12. The liver moves right and the stomach and the spleen move left with the dorsal mesentery thus cutting off
Fold of peritoneum between the liver and the lesser curvature of the stomach
13. What is the greater omentum?
Lower part of the dorsal foregut mesentery extends down form the greater curvature of the stomach as the
14. What are the dorsal and ventral mesogastria?
The mesentery that is joined to the stomach.
15. Why does the lesser omentum have a lower free border and what opening does that form?
Because it is formed by the ventral foregut mesentery, which ends at the start of the midgut. The opening to
Anatomy 2024/25 Edition
The Gut And The Peritoneal Cavity
Compiled By Muchiri Simon
Edition: 2024/25
, Medical & Nursing | Anatomy I of IV pages
1. What type of epithelium is the peritoneum?
Simple squamous epithelium - mesothelium
2. What is contained in the peritoneal cavity?
Nothing - there is only a small amount of fluid and it is a potential space
3. Which germ layers does the gut tube develop from?
Endoderm and splanchnic mesoderm
4. What do the peritoneal folds act as a conduit for?
Nerves, blood vessels, lymphatics
5. What is the difference between intraperitoneal and retroperitoneal?
Intraperitoneal is totally wrapped in peritoneum whereas retroperitoneal is behind the peritoneum and is not
6. State three viscera that are secondarily retroperitoneal.
Duodenum, pancreas (not tail), colon (ascending and descending only)
7. State some viscera that were retroperitoneal from the start of development
Kidneys, great vessels, adrenal glands, oesophagus, rectum
8. What are the three divisions of the gut tube and what defines their borders?
Foregut - from the distal 1/3 of the oesophagus to the major duodenal papilla (entrance of the bile duct to the
Midgut - 2nd part of the duodenum to 2/3 of the way along the transverse colon
Hindgut - final 1/3 of the transverse colon to the rectum
9. Which mesenteries suspend the different parts of the gut tube?
The entire gut tube is suspended by dorsal mesentery
The foregut is ALSO suspended by ventral mesentery
10. What does the ventral mesentery split into?
Falciform ligament and the lesser omentum
11. How is the lesser sac (omental bursa) formed?
The liver moves right and the stomach and the spleen move left with the dorsal mesentery thus cutting off a
12. The liver moves right and the stomach and the spleen move left with the dorsal mesentery thus cutting off
Fold of peritoneum between the liver and the lesser curvature of the stomach
13. What is the greater omentum?
Lower part of the dorsal foregut mesentery extends down form the greater curvature of the stomach as the
14. What are the dorsal and ventral mesogastria?
The mesentery that is joined to the stomach.
15. Why does the lesser omentum have a lower free border and what opening does that form?
Because it is formed by the ventral foregut mesentery, which ends at the start of the midgut. The opening to
Anatomy 2024/25 Edition
