Precursor intraembryonic coelom Dorlands/Elsevier c_16/12220559 FMA 14704 | Code TH H3.04.08.0.00011 TA A10.1.02.001 | |
Latin Cavitas peritonealis,saccus serosus peritonei | ||
The peritoneal cavity is a potential space between the parietal peritoneum (the peritoneum that surrounds the abdominal wall) and visceral peritoneum (the peritoneum that surrounds the internal organs). Both the parietal and visceral peritonea are not different but the same peritoneum given two names depending on their function/location. It is one of the spaces derived from the coelomic cavity of the embryo, the others being the pleural cavities around the lungs and the pericardial cavity around the heart.
It is fluid filled. It is the largest serosal sac in the body and secretes approximately 50 mL of fluid per day. This fluid acts as a lubricant and has anti-inflammatory properties.
Clinical significance
The peritoneal cavity is a common injection site, used in intraperitoneal injection.
An increase in the capillary pressure in the abdominal viscera can cause fluid to leave the interstitial space and enter the peritoneal cavity, a condition called ascites.
In cases where cerebrospinal fluid builds up, such as in hydrocephalus, the fluid is commonly diverted to the peritoneal cavity by use of a shunt placed by surgery.
Body fluid sampling from the peritoneal cavity is called peritoneocentesis.