Peritoneal Structures

Question 1

Peritoneal cavity

Answer 1

It is a closed space that is lined by paretial and viceral peritoneum.

In healthy animals, most of the space in abodomen is occupied with organs, so peritoneal cavity is quite small. It has small amounts of fluid for lubrication.

Question 2

Pararectal fossa

Answer 2

Between the pareital peritoneum lining the roof of abdomen and the rectum

Question 3

Rectogenital pouch

Answer 3

Peritoneal space between the between the rectum and the uterus or prostate gland

Question 4

Vesicogenital pouch

Answer 4

Peritoneal space between the uterus and the bladder in females and the space under the genital fold in males (will be discussed later)

Question 5

Pubovesical pouch

Answer 5

Peritoneal space tween the pubis and the ventral surface of the bladder

Median ligament of the bladder divides this pouch into left and right

Question 6

Greater omentum (Dogs and cats), (Ruminants)

Answer 6

Dogs and cats: Part of the dorsal mesogastrium so it arises from roof of abdomen (near caudal liver), then attaches to greater curvature of stomach. Encloses the left lobe of pancreas. It then continues as the superficial leaf running caudally along the floor of the abdomen, then at pelvis it turns around dorsally on itself, forming the deep leaf travelling back to the stomach

Ruminants: Left right longitudinal grooves of the rumen, then get the right side and make another fold that attaches to the greater curvature (right cranial side) of the abomasum. The superficial leaf is on the outside, then the deep leaf is the “V” that is formed on the right side.

Question 7

Lesser omentum (dog and ruminants)

Answer 7

Dogs: Loosely spans the distance between the lesser curvature of the stomach and the visceral side of the liver. Contains the portal vein, hepatic artery, bile duct

Ruminants: Visceral surface of liver to reticular groove, covers the right face of the omasum, then along the lesser curvature of abomasum then attaches to first part of duodenum.

Question 8

Omental bursa

Answer 8

The virtual space formed between the superficial and deep leaves of the greater omentum, access to the omental bursa is through the epiploic foramen

Question 9

Epiploic foramen (omental foramen)

Answer 9

Entry from main peritoneal cavity into the omental bursa. Usually located in dorsocranial abdomen, near the liver

Question 10

Mesoduodenum

Answer 10

Connections from the dorsal body wall to the organ it is named after; duodenum, colon and rectum respectively

Question 11

Great mesentary (also called mesojejunoileum)

Answer 11

Attaches to the abdominal wall adjacent the 2nd lumbar vertebra via a short peritoneal attachment known as the root of the mesentery, vessels and nerves pass in the mesentery to supply the organs (like cranial mesenteric)

Question 12

Mesocolon

Answer 12

Connections from the dorsal body wall to the organ it is named after; duodenum, colon and rectum respectively

Question 13

Mesorectum

Answer 13

Connections from the dorsal body wall to the organ it is named after; duodenum, colon and rectum respectively