What does peritonitis mean?
Peritonitis is the medical term for inflammation of the peritoneum, the thin membrane that lines the abdomen and covers several internal organs. It is often a serious condition, particularly when caused by infection or a ruptured organ, and may produce intense abdominal pain, tenderness, fever, nausea, and a rigid abdomen. Doctors may identify it through physical examination, blood tests, imaging, and sometimes procedures that examine fluid or tissue from the abdominal cavity. Treatment depends on the underlying cause but often involves antibiotics, supportive care, and surgery. The word is used primarily in medicine, with modifiers such as “acute,” “generalized,” and “bacterial” indicating the pattern or cause. Peritonitis is distinct from peritoneum itself: one names the membrane, while the other names inflammation affecting it.
nounInflammation of the peritoneum, the membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and covers many of its organs. It is commonly associated with severe abdominal pain, tenderness, fever, and a rigid abdomen, and can result from infection, perforation, or other injury.
- Inflammation of the peritoneum, especially as a serious abdominal condition caused by infection, perforation, or injury.
"The scan showed signs of peritonitis, and the patient was admitted for emergency surgery."
"The surgeon suspected peritonitis after finding bile in the abdominal cavity."
"Early antibiotics and fluid management are important in managing peritonitis."
The plural is rare in general use but follows the standard Latinized medical pattern.
"Several cases of peritonitides were identified in the historical review."
Peritonitis is named for the peritoneum, the delicate membrane that turns inflammation in the abdomen into a potentially dangerous emergency.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does peritonitis come from?
The word comes from New Latin peritonitis, formed from the stem associated with the peritoneum and the Greek suffix -itis, meaning inflammation. The underlying name peritoneum comes through Latin from Greek peritonaion, referring to the membrane surrounding the abdominal cavity. The related English forms peritoneal and peritoneally retain the same anatomical root.
Related word forms
How peritonitis is actually used
This is a medical term used mainly in clinical contexts. Its severity and urgency depend on the cause, and related conditions may be described as acute, generalized, localized, bacterial, or secondary peritonitis.
Easily confused with peritonitis
The peritoneum is the membrane lining the abdominal cavity, whereas peritonitis is inflammation of that membrane.