mesentery

views updated Jun 27 2018

mesentery
1. In Anthozoa, vertical partitions in the coelenteron (single body cavity).

2. In vertebrates, folds in the dorsal portion of the membrane lining the abdominal cavity (peritoneum) in which the abdominal organs are supported, so that these organs are slung from the wall rather than lying in the cavity proper. The folds supporting the stomach, liver, duodenum, and spleen are termed omenta (sing, omentum); those supporting the remainder of the intestine are mesenteries.

mesentery

views updated Jun 08 2018

mesentery A thin sheet of tissue, bounded on each side by peritoneum, that supports the gut and other organs in the body cavities of animals. Vertebrates have a well-developed dorsal mesentery that anchors the stomach and intestine and contains blood vessels and nerves supplying the gut. The reproductive organs and their ducts are also supported by mesenteries.

mesentery

views updated Jun 27 2018

mesentery (mes-ĕn-ter-i) n. a double layer of peritoneum attaching the stomach, small intestine, pancreas, spleen, and other abdominal organs to the posterior wall of the abdomen.
mesenteric (mes-ĕn-te-rik) adj.

mesentery

views updated May 21 2018

mesentery (anat.) fold of peritoneum. XVI. — medL. mesenterium — Gr. mesentérion, f. mésos MID + énteron intestine.

mesentery

views updated May 08 2018

mesentery In corals, a radial infolding of the fleshy body wall, forming a partition in the gut. In this central cavity the mesenteries alternate with the skeletal septa.