The three peritoneal locations: intraperitoneal, secondary retroperitoneal and retroperitoneal

By O.P. (Paul) Gobée, dept. of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, last update: 17 feb 2018

 

Intraperitoneal, secondary retroperitoneal and (primary) retroperitoneal

Schematic representation of the location of a structure that is intraperitoneal, secondary retroperitoneal, or extraperitoneal 
The structures in the abdomen can lie in one of three locations in relation to the peritoneum: intraperitoneal, secondary retroperitoneal or (primary) retroperitoneal.

More generically, the third location should be named extraperitoneal, meaning 'outside the peritoneal cavity'. This includes, for instance, locations posterior to the peritoneal cavity, inferior to the peritoneal cavity, etc. Retroperitoneal (that is: posterior to the peritoneal cavity) however is the most common location.

These three locations are important because they have different characteristics regarding accessibility, visibility and mobility. For instance, if a surgeon opens the peritoneal cavity, he or she can directly access intraperitoneal organs, whereas the retroperitoneal structures are not even visible and reaching them requires cutting through the back wall of the parietal peritoneum. Also, these locations form compartments, that prevent the spread of fluids to the other locations. For instance, edema surrounding an inflamed retroperitoneal organ or blood from a leaking retroperitoneal blood vessel will not spread to the peritoneal cavity (until the peritoneum breaks through).

The three locations will be explained on the following pages.

 

The three peritoneal locations seen in reality

In this video the three peritoneal locations are shown in a dissection specimen. One sees the differences between the intraperitoneal structures which are well accessible and mobile, the secondary retroperitoneal structures which are accessible but fixed and the primary retroperitoneal structures, which are not even visible in an opened peritoneal cavity.
(4m32s)

 

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The structures in the abdomen can lie in one of three locations in relation to the peritoneum: intraperitoneal, secondary retroperitoneal or (primary) retroperitoneal. These locations differ in accessibility and mobility. The origin of these three locations, their adult configuration and the characteristics of organs at these places, are discussed.
Anatomical structures in item:
Peritoneum
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The three peritoneal locations: intraperitoneal, secondary retroperitoneal and retroperitoneal
Uploaded by: opgobee
Institution: Netherlands, Leiden – Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden University
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The structures in the abdomen can lie in one of three locations in relation to the peritoneum: intraperitoneal, secondary retroperitoneal or (primary) retroperitoneal. These locations differ in accessibility and mobility. The origin of these three locations, their adult configuration and the characteristics of organs at these places, are discussed.
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Anatomical structures in item
Peritoneum
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Gross