Visceral peritoneum

The peritoneum is the serous membrane forming the lining of the abdominal cavity or coelom in amniotes and some invertebrates, such as annelids. It covers most of the intra-abdominal (or coelomic) organs, and is composed of a layer of mesothelium supported by a thin layer of connective tissue. This peritoneal lining of the cavity supports many of the abdominal organs and serves as a conduit for their blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and nerves.The peritoneum is one continuous sheet, forming two layers and a potential space between them: the peritoneal cavity.In one form of dialysis, called peritoneal dialysis, a glucose solution is sent through a tube into the peritoneal cavity. The fluid is left there for a prescribed amount of time to absorb waste products, and then removed through the tube. The reason for this effect is the high number of arteries and veins in the peritoneal cavity. Through the mechanism of diffusion, waste products are removed from the blood.'Peritoneum' is derived from Greek περιτόναιον peritonaion 'peritoneum, abdominal membrane' via Latin. In Greek, περί peri means 'around,' while τείνω teino means 'to stretch'; thus, 'peritoneum' means 'stretched over.'Median sagittal section of pelvis, showing the arrangement of fasciæHorizontal disposition of the peritoneum in the lower part of the abdomenSagittal section through posterior abdominal wall, showing the relations of the capsule of the kidneyTopography of thoracic and abdominal visceraHorizontal disposition of the peritoneum in the upper part of the abdomen