Retroperitoneum
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Retroperitoneum | |
|---|---|
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| Transverse section, showing the relations of the capsule of the kidney. (Peritoneum is labeled at center right.) | |
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| Human kidneys viewed from behind with spine removed | |
| Latin | spatium retroperitoneale |
| MeSH | Retroperitoneal+Space |
The retroperitoneum (adj. retroperitoneal) is the anatomical space in the abdominal cavity behind (retro) the peritoneum. It has no specific delineating anatomical structures. Organs are retroperitoneal if they only have peritoneum on their anterior side.
Retroperitoneal bleeding, such as from a ruptured aortic aneurysm shows as Grey Turner's sign (flank bruising).
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[edit] Secondarily retroperitoneal organs
Organs that were once suspended within the abdominal cavity by mesentery but migrated posterior to the peritoneum during the course of embryogenesis to become retroperitoneal are considered to be secondarily retroperitoneal organs.
[edit] Retroperitoneal structures
Structures that lie behind the peritoneum are termed "retroperitoneal". These include:
- Primarily retroperitoneal:
- urinary
- circulatory
- digestive
- Reproductive
- Secondarily retroperitoneal:
A useful mnemonic to aid recollection of the abdominal retroperitoneal viscera is SAD PUCKER:
- S = Suprarenal glands (aka the adrenal glands)
- A = Aorta/IVC
- D = Duodenum (second and third segments)
- P = Pancreas
- U = Ureters
- C = Colon (only the ascending and descending branches)
- K = Kidneys
- E = Esophagus
- R = Rectum
Another mnemonic to aid recollection of the abdominal retroperitoneal viscera: Ursula Uses Kids to Deliver All Lemon Pies except Sue’s Tasty Crust
- Ureters
- Urinary bladder
- Kidneys
- Duodenum
- Adrenal glands
- Large intestine
- Pancreas
- EXCEPT (not retroperitoneal)
- Sigmoid
- Transverse
- Colon
[edit] Role in disease
[edit] References
- ^ Kyung Won, PhD. Chung (2005). Gross Anatomy (Board Review). Hagerstown, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 256. ISBN 0-7817-5309-0.
- ^ K. L. Moore, A. F. Dalley, A. M. R. Agur (2005). Clinically Oriented Anatomy. Hagerstown, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 1209. ISBN 0781736390.
