What does peritoneum mean?
The peritoneum is the thin, slippery membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and covers many of the organs within it. In humans and other vertebrates, it forms a largely continuous, double-layered surface that allows organs to move against one another with relatively little friction. The term is primarily anatomical and clinical: “peritoneal” describes structures or procedures involving this membrane, as in the peritoneal cavity, peritoneal fluid, and peritoneal dialysis. In medicine, inflammation of this membrane is called peritonitis, and the membrane can also be affected by adhesions, fluid accumulation, infection, or malignancy. Although the peritoneum sounds technical, it is worth knowing because it is central to the arrangement and protection of abdominal organs. The word is especially useful when reading anatomy, surgery, or gastroenterology, where precise distinctions between the membrane, the cavity it lines, and diseases affecting it matter.
nounThe thin, serous membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and covers most of the organs within it.
- The double-layered serous membrane lining the abdominal cavity and covering most abdominal organs.
"Inflammation of the peritoneum can cause severe abdominal pain and fever."
"Inflammation of the peritoneum can cause severe abdominal pain and fever."
"During the operation, the surgeon inspected the peritoneum for signs of infection."
Peritoneums is the general plural form; peritonea is particularly used in anatomical writing.
"Anatomists may compare the peritoneums of different vertebrate groups."
Your abdominal organs live inside a snug, slippery double sleeve called the peritoneum.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does peritoneum come from?
The English word comes through Latin peritoneum from Ancient Greek peritónaion, a term for the membrane surrounding the intestines. The Greek formation combines the prefix peri, meaning “around,” with tonos, meaning “tension” or “stretch,” referring to a membrane stretched around the viscera. English subsequently developed related forms such as the adjective peritoneal and the adverb peritoneally.
Related word forms
How peritoneum is actually used
This is primarily a formal anatomical and medical term. In medicine, “peritoneal” commonly describes the membrane, the cavity it lines, diseases affecting it, and procedures involving it.
Easily confused with peritoneum
The peritoneum is the abdominal membrane itself, whereas peritonitis is inflammation of that membrane.