title: Peritoneal and retroperitoneal anatomy and its relevance for cross-sectional imaging.
abstract: It is difficult to identify normal peritoneal folds and ligaments at imaging. However, infectious, inflammatory, neoplastic, and traumatic processes frequently involve the peritoneal cavity and its reflections; thus, it is important to identify the affected peritoneal ligaments and spaces. Knowledge of these structures is important for accurate reporting and helps elucidate the sites of involvement to the surgeon. The potential peritoneal spaces; the peritoneal reflections that form the peritoneal ligaments, mesenteries, and omenta; and the natural flow of peritoneal fluid determine the route of spread of intraperitoneal fluid and disease processes within the abdominal cavity. The peritoneal ligaments, mesenteries, and omenta also serve as boundaries for disease processes and as conduits for the spread of disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology and Clinical Sciences, Section of Abdominal Imaging, University of Indiana School of Medicine, 550 N University Blvd, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA. atirkes@iupui.edu
authors.forename: Temel
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tirkes
authors.forename: Kumaresan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sandrasegaran
authors.forename: Aashish A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: Margaret A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Hollar
authors.forename: Juan G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Tejada
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tann
authors.forename: Fatih M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Akisik
authors.forename: John C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Lappas
mesh_terms: D034841:Abdominal Cavity / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000196:embryology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001201:Ascites / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008022:Ligaments / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008643:Mesentery / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000196:embryology; D008875:Middle Aged; D061330:Multidetector Computed Tomography; D010529:Peritoneal Cavity / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010537:Peritoneum / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012187:Retroperitoneal Space / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014781:Viscera / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology