Editing Peritoneum (section)

{{short description|Serous membrane that forms lining of abdominal cavity or coelom}}
{{distinguish|Perineum}}
{{redirect|Peritoneal|text=It is not to be confused with [[Perineal (disambiguation)|Perineal]] or [[Peroneal (disambiguation)|Peroneal]].}}
{{redirect|Intraperitoneal|text=For the intraperitoneal route of administration, see [[intraperitoneal injection]].}}
{{Infobox anatomy
| Name        = Peritoneum
| Latin       = peritoneum
| Image       = Gray1040.png
| Caption     = The peritoneum, colored in blue
| Width       = 
| Image2      = Gray1035.png
| Caption2    = The [[epiploic foramen]], [[greater sac]] or general cavity (red) and [[lesser sac]], or omental bursa (blue)
| Precursor   = 
| System      = 
| Artery      = 
| part_of     = [[Abdomen]]
| pronunciation = {{IPAc-en|ˌ|p|ɛr|ᵻ|t|ə|ˈ|n|iː|əm}}
| Vein        = 
| Nerve       = 
| Lymph       = 
}}
The '''peritoneum''' is the [[serous membrane]] forming the lining of the [[abdominal cavity]] or [[coelom]] in [[amniote]]s and some invertebrates, such as [[annelid]]s. It covers most of the intra-abdominal (or coelomic) organs, and is composed of a layer of [[mesothelium]] supported by a thin layer of [[connective tissue]]. This '''peritoneal''' lining of the cavity supports many of the [[abdomen#Contents|abdominal organs]] and serves as a conduit for their [[blood vessel]]s, [[lymphatic vessel]]s, and [[nerve]]s.

The abdominal cavity (the space bounded by the [[vertebrae]], [[abdominal muscles]], [[Thoracic diaphragm|diaphragm]], and [[pelvic floor]]) is different from the '''intraperitoneal space''' (located within the abdominal cavity but wrapped in peritoneum). The structures within the intraperitoneal space are called "intraperitoneal" (e.g., the [[stomach]] and [[intestine]]s), the structures in the abdominal cavity that are located behind the intraperitoneal space are called "[[retroperitoneal]]" (e.g., the [[kidney]]s), and those structures below the intraperitoneal space are called "subperitoneal" or "infraperitoneal" (e.g., the [[bladder]]).