What is the peritoneal cavity?

The peritoneal cavity is the largest serous sac in the body, located between the parietal and visceral layers of the peritoneum. It is a closed cavity in males but communicates externally in females via the uterine tubes, uterus, and vagina, which increases infection risk.

What are the main subdivisions of the peritoneal cavity?

The peritoneal cavity is divided into two main parts: the Greater Sac, which is the main compartment throughout the abdominal cavity, and the Lesser Sac (Omental Bursa), a smaller recess behind the stomach, liver, and lesser omentum that connects to the greater sac via the epiploic foramen.

How is the greater sac further subdivided?

The greater sac is subdivided by the transverse mesocolon into the Supracolic Compartment, which contains organs like the liver, stomach, spleen, and part of the duodenum, and the Infracolic Compartment, which contains the jejunum and ileum, bordered by the ascending and descending colon.

What is the epiploic foramen and why is it important?

The epiploic foramen (of Winslow) is a slit-like opening that connects the greater and lesser sacs. It is clinically significant because it allows communication between these compartments and can be a site for internal hernias, where bowel loops may herniate through.

What are the clinical implications of the peritoneal cavity?

The peritoneal cavity has several clinical implications: it can accumulate fluid, blood, or air (e.g., ascites, hemoperitoneum) due to pathology or trauma, and it is used for procedures like paracentesis abdominis to aspirate fluid or peritoneal dialysis for renal failure. Specific areas, such as Morison's pouch or the rectouterine pouch, are sites for fluid collection or drainage.

What is the rectouterine pouch and why is it significant?

The rectouterine pouch (of Douglas) is the most dependent part of the peritoneal cavity in females when upright, located between the rectum and uterus. It is clinically important because pus or fluid can accumulate here and may be drained via procedures like posterior colpotomy.

What are the subphrenic spaces?

The subphrenic spaces are six spaces located around the liver and diaphragm, including right and left anterior/posterior intraperitoneal spaces and extraperitoneal spaces. They are important for understanding fluid spread and accumulation in conditions like post-surgery complications.

Peritoneal Cavity – Greater Sac, Lesser Sac & Epiploic Foramen

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