mesentery

[ mes-uh n-ter-ee, mez- ]
/ ˈmɛs ənˌtɛr i, ˈmɛz- /

noun, plural mes·en·ter·ies. Anatomy.

the membrane, consisting of a double layer of peritoneum, that invests the intestines, attaching them to the posterior wall of the abdomen, maintaining them in position in the abdominal cavity, and supplying them with blood vessels, nerves, and lymphatics, especially the part of this membrane investing the jejunum and ileum.

Origin of mesentery

1375–1425; late Middle English < New Latin mesenterium < Greek mesentérion (equivalent to mes- mes- + entérion, neuter of entérios of the bowel); see enteron

OTHER WORDS FROM mesentery

mes·en·ter·ic, adjective in·ter·mes·en·ter·ic, adjective post·mes·en·ter·ic, adjective

Words nearby mesentery

mesenteriorrhaphy, mesenteriplication, mesenteritis, mesenterium, mesenteron, mesentery, mesh, mesh connection, mesh knot, mesha stele, meshach

Example sentences from the Web for mesenteric

British Dictionary definitions for mesenteric

mesentery
/ (ˈmɛsəntərɪ, ˈmɛz-) /

noun plural -teries

the double layer of peritoneum that is attached to the back wall of the abdominal cavity and supports most of the small intestine

Derived forms of mesentery

mesenteric, adjective

Word Origin for mesentery

C16: from New Latin mesenterium; see meso- + enteron

Medical definitions for mesenteric

mesentery
[ mĕz′ən-tĕr′ē ]

n.

A double layer of peritoneum attached to the abdominal wall and enclosing in its fold certain organs of the abdominal viscera.
A fold of the peritoneum that connects the intestines to the dorsal abdominal wall, especially such a fold that envelops the jejunum and ileum.

Other words from mesentery

mes′en•ter′ic adj.