The peritoneum is a double (serous) membrane that protects the abdominal organs. The parietal peritoneum lines the abdominopelvic wall. The visceral peritoneum (serosa) covers the organs within abdominal cavity. A peritoneal cavity lies between the layers of peritoneum. Its fluid is a lubricant that allows slippage of the organs.
Some organs are retroperitoneal. They are covered by peritoneum only on the anterior surfaces. These include the kidneys and pancreas.
Different regions of the peritoneum are given special names. Mesentery and mesocolon both bind the intestines to the posterior abdominal wall. The mesentery binds the small intestine to the posterior abdominal wall. The mesocolon binds the large intestine to the same (posterior) abdominal wall.
The lesser omentum is peritoneum that extends from the liver to the lesser curvature of stomach. It stabilizes the position of the stomach and provides an access route for vessels entering and leaving the liver. The greater omentum is a large fold of peritoneum that hangs from the stomach and folds back to attach to the transverse colon. Its substantial stores of adipose tissue provide padding and protection and are an important energy reserve.
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