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peritoneum
peritoneum , multilayered membrane which lines the abdominal cavity, and supports and covers the organs within it. The part of the membrane that lines the abdominal cavity is called the parietal peritoneum. The portion that covers the internal organs, or viscera, is known as the visceral peritoneum and forms the outer layer (serosa) of most of the intestinal tract. The supportive peritoneum forms sheets of greatly modified membranes called mesenteries. These tissues hold the organs of the digestive tract in position and convey nerves, blood vessels, and lymphatic ducts to the viscera. The space between the visceral and parietal membranes contains a watery fluid that permits the abdominal organs to slide freely against the abdominal wall. A ruptured appendix can lead to inflammation of the peritoneum, a condition known as peritonitis. |
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"peritoneum." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 9 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "peritoneum." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (February 9, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-peritone.html "peritoneum." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Retrieved February 09, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-peritone.html |
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peritoneum
peritoneum A membrane which lines the inside of the abdomen and covers its contents. The peritoneal ‘cavity’ is an enclosed sac between the lining and the contents, and normally contains only sufficient fluid to lubricate the movement of the loops of the intestines, allowing them to slide freely over each other and against the inside of the abdominal wall. Disease of the stomach, intestines, or appendix which causes leakage or rupture (perforation) can result in dissemination of infected material throughout the cavity, causing peritonitis. Accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity (ascites) occurs along with generalized oedema in conditions such as heart failure or kidney failure.
Stuart Judge |
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COLIN BLAKEMORE and SHELIA JENNETT. "peritoneum." The Oxford Companion to the Body. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 9 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. COLIN BLAKEMORE and SHELIA JENNETT. "peritoneum." The Oxford Companion to the Body. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (February 9, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O128-peritoneum.html COLIN BLAKEMORE and SHELIA JENNETT. "peritoneum." The Oxford Companion to the Body. 2001. Retrieved February 09, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O128-peritoneum.html |
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peritoneum
per·i·to·ne·um / ˌperitnˈēəm/ • n. (pl. -ne·ums or -ne·a / -ˈnēə/ ) Anat. the serous membrane lining the cavity of the abdomen and covering the abdominal organs. DERIVATIVES: per·i·to·ne·al / -ˈēəl/ adj. |
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"peritoneum." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 9 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "peritoneum." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (February 9, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-peritoneum.html "peritoneum." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved February 09, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-peritoneum.html |
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peritoneum
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"peritoneum." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 9 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "peritoneum." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (February 9, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O62-peritoneum.html "peritoneum." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Retrieved February 09, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O62-peritoneum.html |
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peritoneum
peritoneum XVI. — late L. peritonæum, -ēum — Gr. peritónaion, -eion, sb. use of n. of peritónaios, f. peritonos stretched around, f. PERI- + -tonos stretched.
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T. F. HOAD. "peritoneum." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 9 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "peritoneum." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (February 9, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-peritoneum.html T. F. HOAD. "peritoneum." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved February 09, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-peritoneum.html |
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peritoneum
peritoneum The thin layer of tissue (see serous membrane) that lines the abdominal cavity of vertebrates and covers the abdominal organs. See also mesentery.
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"peritoneum." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 9 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "peritoneum." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (February 9, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-peritoneum.html "peritoneum." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Retrieved February 09, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-peritoneum.html |
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peritoneum
peritoneum Strong membrane of connective tissue that lines the body's abdominal wall and covers the abdominal organs. See also peritonitis
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"peritoneum." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 9 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "peritoneum." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (February 9, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-peritoneum.html "peritoneum." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved February 09, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-peritoneum.html |
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peritoneum
peritoneum See MESENTERY.
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MICHAEL ALLABY. "peritoneum." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 9 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "peritoneum." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (February 9, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-peritoneum.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "peritoneum." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved February 09, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-peritoneum.html |
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peritoneum
peritoneum •um
•Graeme, graham
•athenaeum, atheneum, coliseum, Liam, lyceum, mausoleum, museum, peritoneum, propylaeum, Te Deum
•Rijksmuseum
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"peritoneum." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 9 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "peritoneum." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (February 9, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-peritoneum.html "peritoneum." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved February 09, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-peritoneum.html |
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