Peritoneal Cavity

Peritoneal Cavity Is a potential space between the parietal and visceral peritoneum. Contains a film of fluid that lubricates the surface of the peritoneum and facilitates free movements of the viscera. Is a completely closed sac in the male but is open in the female through the uterine tubes, uterus, and vagina. Is divided into the lesser and greater sacs. Lesser sac (omental bursa) Is an irregular space that lies behind the liver, lesser omentum, stomach, and upper anterior part of the greater omentum. Is a closed sac, except for its communication with the greater sac through the epiploic (omental) foramen. Presents three recesses: (a) superior recess , which lies behind the stomach, lesser omentum, and left of the liver; (b) inferior recess , which lies behind the stomach, extending into the layers of the greater omentum; and (c) splenic recess , which extends to the left at the hilus of the spleen. Greater sac Extends across the entire breadth of the abdomen and from the diaphragm to the pelvic floor. Presents numerous recesses into which pus from an abscess may be drained. Subphrenic (suprahepatic) recess Is a peritoneal pocket between the diaphragm and the anterior and superior part of the liver. Is separated into right and left recesses by the falciform ligament. Subhepatic recess or hepatorenal recess (Morrison's pouch) Is a deep peritoneal pocket between the liver anteriorly and the kidney and suprarenal gland posteriorly. Communicates with the lesser sac via the epiploic foramen and the right paracolic gutter, thus the pelvic cavity. Paracolic recesses (gutters) Lie lateral to the ascending colon (right paracolic gutter) and lateral to the descending colon (left paracolic gutter). Epiploic or omental (Winslow's) foramen Is a natural opening between the lesser and greater sacs. Is bounded superiorly by peritoneum on the caudate lobe of the liver, inferiorly by peritoneum on the first part of the duodenum , anteriorly by the free edge of the lesser omentum , and posteriorly by peritoneum covering the inferior vena cava (IVC). ◄.....Go back to the Gross Anatomy homepage