peritoneum
[ per-i-tn-ee-uh m ]
/ ˌpɛr ɪ tnˈi əm /
noun, plural per·i·to·ne·ums, per·i·to·ne·a [per-i-tn-ee-uh] /ˌpɛr ɪ tnˈi ə/. Anatomy.
the serous membrane lining the abdominal cavity and investing its viscera.
Origin of peritoneum
OTHER WORDS FROM peritoneum
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British Dictionary definitions for peritoneum
peritoneum
/ (ˌpɛrɪtəˈniːəm) /
noun plural -nea (-ˈniːə) or -neums
a thin translucent serous sac that lines the walls of the abdominal cavity and covers most of the viscera
Derived forms of peritoneum
peritoneal, adjectiveWord Origin for peritoneum
C16: via Late Latin from Greek
peritonaion, from
peritonos stretched around, from
peri- +
tenein to stretch
Medical definitions for peritoneum
peritoneum
n. pl. per•i•to•ne•a
The serous sac consisting of mesothelium and a thin layer of irregular connective tissue that lines the abdominal cavity, covers most of the viscera contained therein, and itself forms two cavities, the peritoneal and the omental bursa, which are connected by the epiploic foramen.
Other words from peritoneum
per′i•to•ne′al adj.Scientific definitions for peritoneum
peritoneum
[ pĕr′ĭ-tn-ē′əm ]
Plural peritonea
The membrane that lines the walls of the abdomen and the pelvis (called the parietal peritoneum) and encloses the abdominal and pelvic organs (called the visceral peritoneum.) The space between the two, the peritoneal cavity, fills with inflammatory cells and pus when the peritoneum becomes infected.