Editing Abdominal cavity

{{short description|Body cavity in the abdominal area}}
{{Infobox anatomy
| Name        = Abdominal cavity
| Latin       = cavitas abdominis
| Image       = Scheme body cavities-en.svg
| Caption     =
| Width       =
| Image2      = Gray1225.png
| Caption2    = Front of abdomen, showing surface markings for [[duodenum]], [[pancreas]], and [[kidneys]].
| Precursor   =
| System      =
| Artery      =
| Vein        =
| Nerve       =
| Lymph       =
}}
The '''abdominal cavity''' is a large [[body cavity]] in humans<ref name=EB>{{cite encyclopedia|encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica|title=Abdominal cavity|edition=15th|year=2010|publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.|volume=I: A-Ak – Bayes|location=Chicago, Illinois|isbn=978-1-59339-837-8|pages=[https://archive.org/details/newencyclopaedia2009ency/page/19 19–20]|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/newencyclopaedia2009ency/page/19}}</ref> and many other [[animal]]s that contain [[Organ (anatomy)|organs]]. It is a part of the [[abdominopelvic cavity]].<ref name=Wingerd>{{cite book| last =Wingerd | first =Bruce | title = The Human Body: Concepts of Anatomy and Physiology| publisher = Saunders College Publishing| year = 1994| location = Fort Worth| pages = 11–12| isbn = 0-03-055507-8}}</ref> It is located below the [[thoracic cavity]], and above the [[pelvic cavity]]. Its [[dome]]-shaped roof is the [[thoracic diaphragm]], a thin sheet of muscle under the lungs, and its floor is the [[pelvic inlet]], opening into the [[pelvis]].

==Structure==
[[File:Body Cavities Frontal view labeled.jpg|thumb|left|300px|The '''abdominal cavity''' is labeled '''3''' in this image, and together with the [[pelvic cavity]] ('''4''') it makes up the [[abdominopelvic cavity]] '''6'''.]]

===Organs===
Organs of the abdominal cavity include the [[stomach]], [[liver]], [[gallbladder]], [[spleen]], [[pancreas]], [[small intestine]], [[kidneys]], [[large intestine]], and [[adrenal gland]]s.<ref name=EB/>

===Peritoneum===
{{main|Peritoneum}}
The abdominal cavity is lined with a protective membrane termed the [[peritoneum]].   The inside wall is covered by the [[parietal peritoneum]]. The [[kidney]]s are located behind the peritoneum, in the [[retroperitoneum]], outside the abdominal cavity. The viscera are also covered by [[visceral peritoneum]].

Between the visceral and parietal peritoneum is the [[peritoneal cavity]], which is a potential space.<ref name=EB/> It contains a [[serous fluid]] called [[peritoneal fluid]] that allows motion. This motion is apparent of the [[gastrointestinal tract]]. The peritoneum, by virtue of its connection to the two (parietal and visceral) portions, gives support to the abdominal organs.

The peritoneum divides the cavity into numerous compartments. One of these the [[lesser sac]] is located behind the stomach and joins into the [[greater sac]] via the [[foramen of Winslow]].<ref name=EB/> Some of the organs are attached to the walls of the abdomen via folds of peritoneum and [[ligament]]s, such as the [[liver]] and others use broad areas of the peritoneum, such as the [[pancreas]]. The [[peritoneal ligament]]s are actually dense folds of the peritoneum that are used to connect viscera to viscera or viscera to the walls of the abdomen.<ref name=EB/> They are named in such a way as to show what they connect typically. For example, the [[gastrocolic ligament]] connects the [[stomach]] and [[colon (anatomy)|colon]] and the [[splenocolic ligament]] connects the [[spleen]] and the colon, or sometimes by their shape as the [[round ligament (disambiguation)|round ligament]] or [[Triangular ligament (disambiguation)|triangular ligament]].<ref name=EB/>

===Mesentery===
[[mesentery|Mesenteries]] are folds of peritoneum that are attached to the walls of the abdomen and enclose viscera completely. They are supplied with plentiful amounts of [[blood]]. The three most important mesenteries are mesentery for the [[small intestine]], the [[transverse mesocolon]], which attaches the back portion of the colon to the abdominal wall, and the [[sigmoid mesocolon]] which enfolds the [[sigmoid colon]].<ref name=EB/>

===Omenta===
The [[omentum (disambiguation)|omentum]] are specialized folds of peritoneum that enclose [[nerve]]s, [[blood vessel]]s, [[lymph channel]]s, fatty tissue, and connective tissue. There are two omenta. First, is the [[greater omentum]] that hangs off of the [[transverse colon]] and greater curvature of the stomach. The other is the [[lesser omentum]] that extends between the [[stomach]] and the [[liver]].<ref name=EB/>

==Clinical significance==
===Ascites===
When fluid collects in the abdominal cavity, this condition is called [[ascites]]. This is usually not noticeable until enough fluid has collected to distend the abdomen. The collection of fluid will cause pressure on the viscera, [[vein]]s, and [[thoracic cavity]]. Treatment is directed at the cause of the fluid accumulation. One method is to decrease the [[portal vein]] pressure, especially useful in treating [[cirrhosis]]. [[Chylous ascites]] heals best if the lymphatic vessel involved is closed. [[Heart failure]] can cause recurring ascites.<ref name=EB/>

===Inflammation===
Another disorder is called [[peritonitis]] which usually accompanies inflammatory processes elsewhere. It can be caused by damage to an organ, or from a contusion to the abdominal wall from the outside or by surgery. It may be brought in by the bloodstream or the [[lymphatic]] system. The most common origin is the [[gastrointestinal tract]]. Peritonitis can be [[acute (medicine)|acute]] or [[chronic (medicine)|chronic]], generalized or localized, and may have one origin or multiple origins. The [[omentum (disambiguation)|omenta]] can help control the spread of infection; however without treatment, the infection will spread throughout the cavity. An [[abscess]] may also form as a secondary reaction to an infection. [[Antibiotic]]s have become an important tool in fighting abscesses; however, external drainage is usually required also.<ref name=EB/>

==See also==
* [[Coelom]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons}}

{{Abdominopelvic cavity}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Abdomen|Cavity]]