Mesentery

Mesentery

The Mesentery is a continuous set of tissues which attaches the intestines to the posterior abdominal wall in humans and is formed by the double fold of peritoneum. It helps in storing fat and allowing blood vessels, lymphatics, and nerves to supply the intestines, among other functions.

Structure

The mesentery wraps around the intestines and other organs, forming a continuous, folded band of tissue. It is made up of two layers of a fatty membrane called the peritoneum. The mesentery is attached to the entire length of the small intestine and a portion of the large intestine.

Function

The mesentery has several important functions. It helps to anchor the intestines in place, preventing them from collapsing into the pelvic cavity. The mesentery also contains blood vessels, which supply the intestines with blood. It also contains lymphatic vessels, which help to transport lymph - a fluid that contains infection-fighting white blood cells - throughout the body.

Clinical significance

The mesentery can be affected by a number of diseases, including inflammation, cancer, and ischemia. Inflammation of the mesentery, known as mesenteritis, can cause severe abdominal pain. Mesenteric ischemia, a condition in which blood flow to the mesentery is reduced, can lead to tissue death and is a medical emergency.

History

The concept of the mesentery as a distinct organ has evolved over time. It was first described by the ancient Greeks, but its importance was not fully understood until the 19th century. In 2016, the mesentery was officially recognized as a distinct organ in the human body.

See also

• Peritoneum
• Intestines
• Mesenteritis
• Mesenteric ischemia

References

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Mesentery

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  Mesentery extending from the duodenojejunal flexure to the ileocecal junction

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  Gray's Anatomy illustration of the mesentery

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  Gray's Anatomy vector illustration of the mesentery

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  Gray's Anatomy illustration of the mesentery and intestines

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  Gray's Anatomy illustration of the mesentery and surrounding structures

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  Dissection of the small intestine showing the mesentery