Peritoneum

Blood Supply of the Peritoneum

To the parietal peritoneum

• Lumbar vessels
• Branches of the inferior and superior epigastric arteries
• Musculophrenic artery
• Deep circumflex arteries

To the visceral peritoneum

• From the arteries supplying the appropriate viscera

The Peritoneum and the Peritoneal Cavity

• The peritoneum is a thin, transparent serous membrane that consists of two layers.
• The peritoneum lining the abdominal wall is called the parietal peritoneum.
• The peritoneum investing the viscera is called the visceral peritoneum.

• Both types of peritoneum consist of a single layer of squamous epithelium (mesothelium).
• The parietal and visceral layers of peritoneum are separated from each other by capillary films of peritoneal fluid.
• This serous fluid lubricates the peritoneal surfaces, enabling the viscera to move on each other without friction.

The Peritoneal Folds

• A peritoneal fold (L. plica) is a reflection of peritoneum with more or less sharp borders.
• Often it is formed by peritoneum that covers blood vessels, ducts, and obliterated foetal vessels.

• Several folds are visible on the parietal peritoneum on the interior of the anterior abdominal wall.

• The median umbilical fold contains the urachus, which extends from the urinary bladder to the umbilicus.
• The medial umbilical folds are raised by the obliterated umbilical arteries, extending from the internal iliac arteries to the umbilicus.
• The lateral umbilical folds are raised by the inferior epigastric arteries, extending from the deep inguinal rings on each side to the arcuate lines.

Ref: http://download.videohelp.com/vitualis/med/peritoneum.htm