Diagnostic Ultrasound - Abdomen and Pelvis

Peritoneal Spaces and Structures
Anatomy: Abdomen
PERITONEAL DIVISIONS AND COMPARTMENTS
Greater peritoneal cavity
Lesser omentum
Gastrosplenic ligament
Lesser sac (omental bursa)
Splenorenal ligament
Transverse colon
Greater omentum
Small bowel mesentery
Ascending colon
Descending colon
Left paracolic gutter
(Top) The borders of the lesser sac (omental bursa) include the lesser omentum, which contains the common bile duct and hepatic and
gastric vessels. The left border includes the gastrosplenic ligament (with short gastric vessels) and the splenorenal ligament (with
splenic vessels). (Bottom) The paracolic gutters are formed by reflections of the peritoneum covering the ascending and descending
colon and the lateral abdominal wall. Note the innumerable potential peritoneal recesses lying between the bowel loops and their
mesenteric leaves. The greater omentum covers much of the bowel like an apron.
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