title: Primary and secondary disease of the peritoneum and mesentery: review of anatomy and imaging features.
abstract: The largest and most complex serosal membrane in the body, the peritoneum, lines the abdominal cavity, and the abdominopelvic viscera. It is frequently involved in a variety of benign and malignant processes. While secondary involvement of the peritoneum is more common, primary tumors can be a diagnostic challenge. Knowledge of the anatomy is crucial in understanding the various pathologic processes. Cross-sectional imaging plays an important role in diagnosing and evaluating the extent of the disease processes. This article reviews the imaging anatomy of the peritoneum and mesentery and the common pathologies involving it.
authors.affiliation: Division of Abdominal Imaging, Department of Radiology, University of Michigan Health System, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA, ashishw@med.umich.edu.
authors.forename: Ashish P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Wasnik
authors.forename: Katherine E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Maturen
authors.forename: Ravi K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Kaza
authors.forename: Mahmoud M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Al-Hawary
authors.forename: Isaac R
authors.initials: IR
authors.lastname: Francis
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007238:Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis; D008643:Mesentery; D009852:Omentum / Q000098:blood supply; D015436:Panniculitis, Peritoneal; D010532:Peritoneal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010537:Peritoneum / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000098:blood supply; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000175:diagnosis; D011553:Pseudomyxoma Peritonei / Q000175:diagnosis