Abdominal cavity

Your body has a big space inside.

This space holds many parts. It is below your chest. It is above your hips. It holds your stomach. It also holds your liver. Your kidneys stay in this space too. A thin layer covers the walls. This layer helps hold organs in place. It also has fluid inside. This fluid lets organs move easily. This space is a busy place!

Your body has a large space called the abdominal cavity. It holds many important organs. These include the stomach, liver, and spleen. It also holds the pancreas and intestines.

This space sits below your chest. A muscle called the diaphragm forms the roof. The floor of the space is the pelvic inlet.

A thin layer called the peritoneum lines the cavity. It protects the organs inside. This layer also helps hold them in place. It has a special fluid called peritoneal fluid. This fluid lets organs move easily.

The peritoneum has many folds. Some folds are called mesenteries. These folds attach organs to the body wall. They also carry plenty of blood. Some folds are called omenta. The greater omentum hangs from the stomach. The lesser omentum sits between the stomach and liver.

Sometimes, fluid builds up in this space. Doctors call this ascites. This can cause pressure on your organs. Other times, the lining can get sore. This is called peritonitis. It can happen from an injury or surgery.

Your body has a large space called the abdominal cavity. It holds many important organs inside. This space is part of the abdominopelvic cavity. It sits below the thoracic cavity in your chest. It also sits above the pelvic cavity. The roof of this space is a muscle called the diaphragm. This muscle is a thin sheet under your lungs. The floor of the cavity is the pelvic inlet.

A special lining called the peritoneum protects the organs. This lining has two main parts. The parietal peritoneum covers the inside wall. The visceral peritoneum covers the organs themselves. A small space sits between these two layers. This space holds a liquid called peritoneal fluid. This fluid helps the organs move easily. This motion is very important for the gastrointestinal tract. The peritoneum also helps support the organs.

The peritoneum has many different folds and shapes. Some folds are called ligaments. These connect organs to each other or to the walls. For example, the gastrocolic ligament connects the stomach and colon. Other folds are called mesenteries. These attach organs to the abdominal wall. They also carry a lot of blood. The three main mesenteries are for the small intestine and the colon.

There are also two specialized folds called omenta. The greater omentum hangs from the stomach. The lesser omentum sits between the stomach and the liver. These folds enclose nerves and blood vessels. They also hold fatty tissue and lymph channels. Some organs use broad areas of the peritoneum. The pancreas is one example of this. Other organs, like the liver, use folds to stay in place.

Sometimes, health problems can happen in this space. Fluid can collect in the cavity. This condition is called ascites. It can put pressure on your organs and veins. Another problem is called peritonitis. This is when the lining becomes inflamed. It can happen from an injury or surgery. An infection can also cause this. Sometimes an abscess, or a pocket of infection, can form. Doctors use antibiotics to help fight these infections.

The abdominal cavity is a large space within the body. It houses many vital organs in humans and other animals. This space is part of a larger area called the abdominopelvic cavity. It is located directly below the thoracic cavity, which is your chest area. It sits above the pelvic cavity. The roof of this cavity is the thoracic diaphragm. This is a thin sheet of muscle found under the lungs. The floor of the cavity is the pelvic inlet. This opening leads into the pelvis.

A protective membrane called the peritoneum lines the entire abdominal cavity. This membrane has two distinct parts that work together. The parietal peritoneum covers the inside wall of the cavity. The visceral peritoneum covers the organs, known as the viscera. A small space exists between these two layers. This is called the peritoneal cavity. It is considered a potential space. It contains a serous fluid called peritoneal fluid. This fluid allows for smooth motion. This motion is especially important for the gastrointestinal tract. The peritoneum also provides structural support to the abdominal organs.

The peritoneum creates many different compartments and connections. Some organs are attached to the abdominal walls via ligaments. These are dense folds of the peritoneum. They connect viscera to other viscera or to the walls. Their names often describe what they connect. For example, the gastrocolic ligament connects the stomach and the colon. The splenocolic ligament connects the spleen and the colon. Some ligaments are named for their shapes, like the round or triangular ligaments. Other organs use broad areas of the peritoneum for attachment. The pancreas is a good example of this.

Other specialized folds are called mesenteries. These folds attach to the abdominal walls and enclose the viscera completely. They are supplied with plentiful amounts of blood. There are three very important mesenteries to know. One is the mesentery for the small intestine. Another is the transverse mesocolon, which attaches the back of the colon to the wall. The third is the sigmoid mesocolon, which enfolds the sigmoid colon. There are also two types of omenta. The greater omentum hangs from the transverse colon and the stomach. The lesser omentum extends between the stomach and the liver. These omenta enclose nerves, blood vessels, and fatty tissue.

Inside this cavity, many specific organs reside. These include the stomach and the liver. The gallbladder and the spleen are also located here. You will find the pancreas and the small intestine. The large intestine is another major part of the cavity. The kidneys and the adrenal glands are also included. However, the kidneys are positioned in a special way. They are located behind the peritoneum. This specific area is called the retroperitoneum. This means the kidneys sit outside the main abdominal cavity.

Sometimes, medical issues can arise within this space. One condition is called ascites. This happens when fluid collects in the abdominal cavity. It may not be noticeable until the abdomen distends. This fluid can cause pressure on the viscera, veins, and thoracic cavity. Doctors treat ascites by addressing the cause of the fluid. For example, they may try to decrease portal vein pressure. This is useful when treating cirrhosis. In cases of chylous ascites, healing is best if the lymphatic vessel is closed. Heart failure can also cause recurring ascites.

Another serious condition is peritonitis. This is an inflammation of the peritoneum. It often accompanies inflammatory processes elsewhere in the body. It can be caused by organ damage or a contusion to the wall. Surgery can also lead to peritonitis. The infection can arrive through the bloodstream or lymphatic system. The gastrointestinal tract is the most common origin. Peritonitis can be acute or chronic. It can also be localized or generalized. The omenta can help control the spread of infection. However, without treatment, the infection can spread throughout the cavity. An abscess, or a pocket of infection, may form as a secondary reaction. Doctors use antibiotics and sometimes external drainage to fight abscesses.