peritoneum

noun

peri·​to·​ne·​um ˌper-ə-tə-ˈnē-əm How to pronounce peritoneum (audio)
plural peritoneums ˌper-ə-tə-ˈnē-əmz How to pronounce peritoneum (audio) or peritonea ˌper-ə-tə-ˈnē-ə How to pronounce peritoneum (audio)
: the smooth transparent serous membrane that lines the cavity of the abdomen of a mammal and is folded inward over the abdominal and pelvic viscera
peritoneal adjective
peritoneally adverb

Examples of peritoneum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Abdominal Bloating, Pain, or Tenderness Abdominal bloating, pain, or tenderness can be a sign of metastatic breast cancer that has spread to the liver or the lining of the abdominal cavity, called the peritoneum. Julie Scott, Msn, People.com, 2 Oct. 2024 In stage 4c, rectal cancer has spread to the abdominal wall lining (peritoneum). Corey Whelan, Verywell Health, 15 Aug. 2024 Somatic pain: This pain usually comes from irritation of the peritoneum, the protective lining of the abdominal cavity. Lindsay Curtis, Health, 10 July 2024 Normally this causes fever and abdominal pain that is initially felt in the region around the belly button but then moves to the right lower quadrant as the infection and inflammation spread to the highly sensitive lining of the abdominal cavity known as the peritoneum. Lisa Sanders, M.d., New York Times, 10 Jan. 2024 Peritoneal dialysis uses the peritoneum, the lining of the abdomen, which contains the organs, to mimic a kidney by using large amounts of fluid inside the peritoneum to absorb wastes without needing to remove the blood from the body. Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 9 Feb. 2022 What’s under it is the same as what’s under the skin of the rest of your abdomen: your abdominal muscles, to which the navel is attached by a short umbilical stalk, and the peritoneum, the membrane that lines the abdominal cavity. Sarah Leupen, The Conversation, 5 Apr. 2023 What else – my peritoneum, that’s gone. The Indianapolis Star, 14 Mar. 2023 The hematoma was half the size of a grapefruit and was contained only by a thin, fragile layer of tissue called the peritoneum. W Roy Smythe, Discover Magazine, 7 Apr. 2014

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Late Latin, from Greek peritonaion, neuter of peritonaios stretched around, from peri- + teinein to stretch — more at thin

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of peritoneum was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near peritoneum

Cite this Entry

“Peritoneum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peritoneum. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

peritoneum

noun
peri·​to·​ne·​um ˌper-ət-ᵊn-ˈē-əm How to pronounce peritoneum (audio)
plural peritoneums or peritonea
-ˈnē-ə
: the smooth transparent membrane that lines the cavity of the abdomen and encloses the abdominal and pelvic organs

Medical Definition

peritoneum

noun
peri·​to·​ne·​um
variants or chiefly British peritonaeum
plural peritoneums or chiefly British peritonaeums -ˈē-əmz How to pronounce peritoneum (audio) or peritonea or chiefly British peritonaea -ˈē-ə How to pronounce peritoneum (audio)
: the smooth transparent serous membrane that lines the cavity of the abdomen of a mammal, is folded inward over the abdominal and pelvic viscera, and consists of an outer layer closely adherent to the walls of the abdomen and an inner layer that folds to invest the viscera see parietal peritoneum, visceral peritoneum compare mesentery sense 1

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