Peritoneal Cavity - Anatomy & Physiology
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BACK TO ALIMENTARY - ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY
BACK TO ALIMENTARY - ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY
Introduction
Structure
- Peritoneum is normally smooth and clear,
- Small volume of clear fluid for lubrication - in equilibrium with plasma but doesn't contain high molecular weight molecules like fibrinogen
- Small animals
- Low volume of clear straw coloured fluid
- Specific gravity <1.015 to 1.018
- Total protein 25-39g/L
- Nucleated cell count <3x10e9/L
- Mesothelial cells/macrophages
Single layer of mesothelial cells
- Many species have lymphoid tissue aggregates and fixed phagocytes in the omentum that are not covered by mesothelial cells
- NB Post mortem change and autolysis result in increased volumes of red-brown fluid in the abdomen, not associated with other pathology, no roughening of surfaces of organs or peritoneum.
Function
Vasculature
Innervation
Lymphatics
Histology
- Have microvili on their surface
- Very fragile but regenerate very quickly
- High fibrinolytic activity - protects against the formation of adhesions
- Show reactive change with inflammation or effusions
- May be confused with neoplastic cells
Species Differences
- Peritoneum is normally smooth and clear,
- Small volume of clear fluid for lubrication - in equilibrium with plasma but doesn't contain high molecular weight molecules like fibrinogen
- Small animals
- Low volume of clear straw coloured fluid
- Specific gravity <1.015 to 1.018
- Total protein 25-39g/L
- Nucleated cell count <3x10e9/L
- Mesothelial cells/macrophages