Editing Peritoneal cavity (section)

{{Short description|Empty space between parietal and visceral layers of peritoneum}}{{About|the potential space within the abdomen|the body cavity|Abdominal cavity}}{{Infobox anatomy
| Name        = Peritoneal cavity
| Latin       = cavitas peritonealis, <br>saccus serosus peritonei
| Image       =
| Caption     =
| Image2      =
| Caption2    =
| Precursor   = [[Intraembryonic coelom]]
| System      =
| Artery      =
| Vein        =
| Nerve       =
| Lymph       =
}}
The '''peritoneal cavity''' is a [[potential space]] located between the two layers of the [[peritoneum]]—the parietal peritoneum, the [[serous membrane]] that lines the [[abdominal wall]], and visceral peritoneum, which surrounds the [[internal organs]].<ref name="Pannu">{{cite journal |last1=Pannu |first1=HK |last2=Oliphant |first2=M |title=The subperitoneal space and peritoneal cavity: basic concepts |journal=Abdominal Imaging |date=October 2015 |volume=40 |issue=7 |pages=2710–22 |doi=10.1007/s00261-015-0429-5 |pmid=26006061|pmc=4584112 }}</ref> While situated within the [[abdominal cavity]], the term ''peritoneal cavity'' specifically refers to the potential space enclosed by these peritoneal membranes. The cavity contains a thin layer of lubricating [[serous fluid]] that enables the organs to move smoothly against each other, facilitating the movement and expansion of internal organs during digestion.

The parietal and visceral peritonea are named according to their location and function. The peritoneal cavity, derived from the [[coelomic cavity]] in the [[embryo]], is one of several body cavities, including the [[pleural cavities]] surrounding the lungs and the [[pericardial cavity]] around the heart.

The peritoneal cavity is the largest serosal sac and fluid-filled cavity in the body,<ref name="ref3">{{cite journal |last1=Heimbürger |first1=Olof |title=29 - Peritoneal Physiology |journal=Chronic Kidney Disease, Dialysis, and Transplantation (Fourth Edition) |date=1 January 2019 |pages=450–469.e6 |doi=10.1016/b978-0-323-52978-5.00029-x |publisher=Elsevier |isbn=9780323529785 |language=en}}</ref> it [[Secrete|secretes]] approximately {{Convert|50|mL|U.S.oz|abbr=out}} of fluid daily. This fluid serves as a lubricant and has [[anti-inflammatory]] properties. The cavity is divided into the [[Greater sac|greater]] and [[Lesser sac|lesser sacs]], with the greater sac further subdivided into the supracolic and infracolic compartments.<ref name="Sharma">{{cite journal |last1=Sharma |first1=M |last2=Madambath |first2=JG |last3=Somani |first3=P |last4=Pathak |first4=A |last5=Rameshbabu |first5=CS |last6=Bansal |first6=R |last7=Ramasamy |first7=K |last8=Patil |first8=A |title=Endoscopic ultrasound of peritoneal spaces. |journal=Endoscopic Ultrasound |date=March 2017 |volume=6 |issue=2 |pages=90–102 |doi=10.4103/2303-9027.204816 |pmid=28440234|pmc=5418973 |doi-access=free }}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=The Peritoneal Cavity - Greater Sac - Lesser Sac - TeachMeAnatomy |url=https://teachmeanatomy.info/abdomen/areas/peritoneal-cavity/ |access-date=2024-09-29 |website=teachmeanatomy.info}}</ref>