What Is the Peritoneal Cavity?

Peritoneal cavity: The visceral peritoneum and the parietal peritoneum continue and migrate with each other to form an irregular latent cavity, which is called a peritoneal cavity. The peritoneal cavity is the body's largest body cavity. ^[1]

Peritoneal cavity

Peritoneal cavity: The visceral peritoneum and the parietal peritoneum continue and migrate with each other to form an irregular latent cavity, which is called a peritoneal cavity. The peritoneal cavity is the body's largest body cavity. ^[1]

Chinese name

Peritoneal cavity

Foreign name

peritoneal cavity

Meaning

Divided into the abdominal cavity (upper) and pelvic cavity (lower)

Function

With absorption and exudation

The cavity surrounded by the peritoneum is called the peritoneal cavity, which is divided into the abdominal cavity (upper part) and the pelvic cavity (lower part). Men's peritoneal cavity is not communicated with the outside world; women's peritoneal cavity can communicate with the outside world through the fallopian tube, uterine cavity and vagina, so women are likely to cause peritoneal cavity infection.

The peritoneum is rich in blood vessels and has functions of absorption and exudation. The peritoneum absorbs fluids and toxins in the abdominal cavity. The upper abdomen is the strongest and the pelvis is poor. Therefore, when there is an infection in the peritoneal cavity, a semi-recumbent position is often taken to allow the pus to accumulate in the pelvic cavity, thereby reducing the absorption of toxins and alleviating the symptoms of Chinese medicine. When there is inflammation in the peritoneal cavity (such as tuberculous peritonitis), a large amount of fluid leaks out of the abdomen, called ascites.

The peritoneum and the peritoneal cavity contain a large number of macrophages and have a defensive function. Under normal circumstances, there is 75 ~ 100ml yellow clear liquid in the abdominal cavity for lubrication. ^[1]

The peritoneal cavity can be divided into large and small cavities. The small peritoneal cavity is the omental sac, also known as the peritoneal sac, which is the space behind the small omentum and the stomach; the large peritoneal cavity is the space outside the omental sac, also known as the large peritoneal sac. Holes (epiploic foramen, also known as Winslow Air) communicate with each other.

The peritoneal cavity is bounded by the transverse colon and its mesentery, and is divided into the superior colon area and the subcolonic area. The former is located between the diaphragm and the transverse colon and its mesentery. The latter is located below the transverse colon and its mesentery. ^[2]