title: An appraisal of the computed axial tomographic appearance of the human mesentery based on mesenteric contiguity from the duodenojejunal flexure to the mesorectal level.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The human mesentery is now regarded as contiguous from the duodenojejunal (DJ) to anorectal level. This interpretation prompts re-appraisal of computed tomography (CT) images of the mesentery.
  
  
  METHODS
  A digital model and reference atlas of the mesentery were generated using the full-colour data set of the Visible Human Project (VHP). Seventy one normal abdominal CT images were examined to identify mesenteric regions. CT appearances were correlated with cadaveric and histological appearances at corresponding levels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ascending, descending and sigmoid mesocolons were identifiable in 75%, 86% and 88% of the CTs, respectively. Flexural contiguity was evident in 66%, 68%, 71% and 80% for the ileocaecal, hepatic, splenic and rectosigmoid flexures, respectively. A posterior mesocolic boundary corresponding to the anterior renal fascia was evident in 40% and 54% of cases on the right and left, respectively. The anterior pararenal space (in front of the boundary) corresponded to the mesocolon.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Using the VHP, a mesenteric digital model and reference atlas were developed. This enabled re-appraisal of CT images of the mesentery, in which contiguous flexural and non-flexural mesenteric regions were repeatedly identifiable. The anterior pararenal space corresponded to the mesocolon.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Visible Human Project (VHP) allows direct identification of mesenteric structures. Correlating CT and VHP allows identification of flexural and non-flexural mesenteric components. Radiologic appearance of intraperitoneal structures is assessed, starting from a mesenteric platform.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Interventions in Infection, Inflammation and Immunity (4i), Graduate Entry Medical School and Department of Surgery, University Hospital Limerick, Limerick, Ireland. calvin.coffey@ul.ie.
authors.forename: J Calvin
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Coffey
authors.affiliation: Centre for Interventions in Infection, Inflammation and Immunity (4i), Graduate Entry Medical School and Department of Surgery, University Hospital Limerick, Limerick, Ireland. kevin.culligan@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Culligan
authors.affiliation: Centre for Interventions in Infection, Inflammation and Immunity (4i), Graduate Entry Medical School and Department of Surgery, University Hospital Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
authors.forename: Leon G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.affiliation: Centre for Interventions in Infection, Inflammation and Immunity (4i), Graduate Entry Medical School and Department of Surgery, University Hospital Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
authors.forename: Rishab
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sehgal
authors.affiliation: Centre for Interventions in Infection, Inflammation and Immunity (4i), Graduate Entry Medical School and Department of Surgery, University Hospital Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
authors.forename: Colum
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dunne
authors.affiliation: Centre for Interventions in Infection, Inflammation and Immunity (4i), Graduate Entry Medical School and Department of Surgery, University Hospital Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
authors.forename: Deirdre
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: McGrath
authors.affiliation: Centre for Interventions in Infection, Inflammation and Immunity (4i), Graduate Entry Medical School and Department of Surgery, University Hospital Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
authors.forename: Dara
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Mercy University Hospital, Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Staunton
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University Hospital Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Scanlon
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University Hospital Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dewhurst
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University Hospital Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
authors.forename: Bryan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kenny
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Kilkenny General Hospital, Kilkenny, Ireland.
authors.forename: Conor
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: O'Riordan
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University Hospital Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
authors.forename: Julie M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: O'Brien
authors.affiliation: Anatomy, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland Galway, University Rd, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Quondamatteo
authors.affiliation: Anatomy, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland Galway, University Rd, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dockery
mesh_terms: D002102:Cadaver; D004386:Duodenum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007583:Jejunum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008643:Mesentery / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008646:Mesocolon / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
keywords: Computed axial tomography; Mesentery; Mesocolon; Radiology; Toldt’s fascia