| 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).
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.
Retroperitoneal structures
Structures that lie behind the peritoneum are termed "retroperitoneal". These include:
- Primarily retroperitoneal:
- urinary
- circulatory
- digestive
- Reproductive
- Secondarily retroperitoneal:
- the head and neck of the pancreas (but not the tail)1
- the duodenum, except for the proximal first segment2
- ascending and descending portions of the colon (but not the transverse or sigmoid)
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)
Role in disease
References
- ^ Kyung Won, PhD. Chung (2005). Gross Anatomy (Board Review). Hagerstown, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. pp. 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. pp. 1209. ISBN 0781736390.
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General anatomy of torso |
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Thorax/
Thoracic cavity |
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| Thoracic diaphragm |
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Abdomen/
Abdominal cavity |
Retroperitoneum • Paracolic gutters • Hepatobiliary triangle
anterior abdominal wall (Arcuate line, Linea alba, Tendinous intersection, Linea semilunaris, McBurney's point, Traube's space, Inguinal triangle) • Inguinal canal (Deep inguinal ring, Superficial inguinal ring, Intercrural fibers, Crura of superficial inguinal ring) • Lumbar triangle • regions (Epigastrium, Hypochondrium, Umbilical region, Latus, Hypogastrium, Inguinal region) • planes (Transpyloric plane, Intertubercular plane, Midclavicular line)
fascia ( Fascia of Camper, Fascia of Scarpa, Transversalis fascia, Renal fascia, Rectus sheath)
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Pelvis/
Pelvic cavity |
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| Perineum |
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