Ventral and Dorsal Mesenteries

The primitive mesentery is divided by the primitive gut into the ventral and dorsal mesenteries. The ventral mesentery regresses except for the portion that is associated with the foregut (ventral mesogastrium). The rapid growth of the liver within the ventral mesentery divides this mesentery into the lesser omentum (gastrohepatic ligament) and falciform ligament. The visceral peritoneum forms the liver capsule as it encases the liver, except for the surface embedded within the septum transversum (the bare area). Here, the peritoneum is reflected as the coronary ligament. The reflections of the coronary ligament again oppose each other as they attach to the parietal peritoneum anteriorly as the falciform ligament and laterally as the triangular ligaments. The falciform ligament extends from fissure for the ligamentum venosum to the anterior abdominal wall (Fig. 6-2). The falciform ligament provides a potential conduit for transmission of inflammation or hemorrhage from remote organs such as the pancreas (via the gastrohepatic ligament) to the anterior abdominal wall.

Figure 6-2 Axial computed tomographic image after administration of peritoneal contrast material.

The dorsal mesentery extends in continuity from the intraabdominal portion of the esophagus to the rectum. This mesentery, in addition to giving support to the gut, serves as a conduit for the blood vessels, lymphatics, and nerves of the body organs. The spleen and dorsal portion of the pancreas appear by the fifth gestational week between the folds of the dorsal mesogastrium, which contains the splenic artery and vein, accompanying nerves, and lymphatics. The mesentery of the pancreas fuses with the posterior parietal peritoneum, leaving the spleen suspended by the splenorenal ligament and gastrosplenic ligament (Fig. 6-3). This is followed by posterior fusion of the splenorenal ligament. Inflammation or neoplasm may extend between the stomach and spleen via the gastrosplenic ligament. It is important to recognize that the pancreas is positioned beneath the posterior parietal peritoneum. The pancreas is centrally located within the subperitoneal space and in continuity with the abdominal organs via their mesenteric attachments. Neoplasms and inflammation can spread from the pancreas directly to the spleen via the splenorenal ligament, to the colon via the transverse mesocolon, to the liver via the hepatoduodenal ligament, and into the small bowel mesentery along the superior mesenteric vessels (Fig. 6-4). It is important to remember that the derivatives of the dorsal and ventral mesenteries remain in continuity after development, and that the individual named mesenteries are identified by their contained vessels (Tables 6-1 and 6-2).

Figure 6-3 Axial computed tomographic image after administration of peritoneal contrast material.

Figure 6-4 Axial enhanced computed tomographic scan through the abdomen in a patient with acute pancreatitis demonstrates spread of inflammation to the transverse mesocolon.

Table 6-1 Ventral Mesentery Derivatives

Table 6-2 Dorsal Mesentery Derivatives

Gastrohepatic and Hepatoduodenal Ligaments

The ventral mesogastrium is one mesentery in continuity as it attaches the foregut to the ventral abdominal wall. Its derivatives include the lesser omentum and the falciform ligament. The lesser omentum (gastrohepatic ligament) extends from the liver to the stomach. More specifically, this ligament extends from the fissure for the ligamentum venosum and porta hepatis to the lesser curvature of the stomach (Fig. 6-5). The gastrohepatic ligament contains the left and right gastric arteries, coronary vein, and left gastric lymph nodes. The gastrohepatic ligament provides a pathway for bidirectional spread of disease between the stomach and the left hepatic lobe (Fig. 6-6). The free margin of the lesser omentum (hepatoduodenal ligament) attaches to the duodenum ventrally and contains the portal vein, hepatic artery, and common bile duct.

Figure 6-5 Axial computed tomographic image after administration of peritoneal contrast material.

Figure 6-6 Axial enhanced computed tomographic scan in a patient with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma extending from the stomach to the left hepatic lobe via the gastrohepatic ligament.

Ligamentous Support of the Colon and Small Bowel

The transverse mesocolon is derived from the dorsal mesocolon and is in continuity with the root of the small-bowel mesentery (Fig. 6-7). The phrenicocolic ligament is the left lateral extension of the root of the transverse mesocolon, and the duodenocolic ligament is the right lateral extension. The posterior reflections of the small intestine mesentery extend from the region below the transverse mesocolon in the left upper abdomen to the right lower abdomen, providing continuity between the left upper and right lower abdomen (Fig. 6-8). The dorsal mesocolon undergoes extensive posterior fusion after reentry to the abdominal cavity during development. The ascending and descending portions of the dorsal mesocolon lie in their lateral positions and fuse with the parietal peritoneum, as does the mesorectum. For imaging purposes, the ascending and descending colon and rectum are considered extraperitoneal structures. The appendix cecum, transverse mesocolon, and sigmoid mesocolon persist (Fig. 6-9). Therefore, the transverse and sigmoid portions of the colon are considered to be intraperitoneal. However, it is important to realize that the entire mesentery of the colon and rectum remains in continuity regardless of fused portions.

Figure 6-7 Sagittal enhanced computed tomographic image of a patient with peritoneal carcinomatosis and ascites demonstrating continuity of the mesenteries of the abdomen.

Figure 6-8 Coronal reformation of enhanced computed tomographic scan of a patient with ascites caused by peritoneal carcinomatosis.

Figure 6-9 Pelvic mesenteric attachments and recesses.

Pelvic Ligaments

Of the numerous supporting ligaments of the pelvis, the broad ligament is the most relevant for disease spread and containment. The broad ligament forms from a mesenchymal shelf within the pelvis and bridges the lateral pelvic walls (Table 6-3). The visceral peritoneum encases the broad ligament, uterus, and adnexa. Specialized portions of the broad ligament form the mesovarium and mesosalpinx superiorly, and the cardinal ligament inferiorly. The broad ligament contains the blood vessels, lymphatics, and nerves of the uterus and adnexa. Thus, the subperitoneal space extends into the pelvis as the broad ligament (analogous to the mesenteries of the abdomen) and interconnects the female pelvic organs with the abdomen.

Table 6-3 Pelvic Ligaments

Anterior Pararenal Space

The anterior pararenal space lies between the posterior parietal peritoneum and the anterior renal fascia (Figs. 6-11 and 6-12). This space contains the pancreas, extraperitoneal portion of the duodenum, and the ascending and descending colon. Its cephalad extent is the bare area of the liver (on the right) and its caudad extent is the level of the iliac fossae. The anterior pararenal space is continuous as the subperitoneal space of the mesenteries of the upper abdomen, transverse mesocolon, and small bowel. In this manner, disease processes may spread bidirectionally between the organs of the upper abdomen, pancreas, small bowel, and colon. The anterior pararenal space is constrained laterally by the lateroconal fascia formed by fusion of the layers of the anterior and posterior renal fascia. Anatomically, the anterior pararenal space is compartmentalized into colonic and pancreaticoduodenal compartments by fusion of the primitive mesenteries. This process of fusion results in creation of the retropancreaticoduodenal and retromesenteric interfascial planes that can serve as conduits for spread of fluid within the extraperitoneum.

Figure 6-11 Axial enhanced computed tomographic scan in a patient with acute pancreatitis and anterior pararenal fluid.

Figure 6-12 Sagittal computed tomographic reformation to left of midline in a patient with acute necrotizing pancreatitis.

Perirenal Space

The perirenal space lies between the anterior and posterior renal fascia. Pathologic processes or fluid collections occurring within the right or left perirenal space most often do not cross the midline, as the renal fascias fuse with the connective tissue surrounding the aorta and inferior vena cava. The caudad extent of the perirenal space is at the iliac crest where the fascial layers are poorly fused and blend with the periureteric connective tissue. Controversy exists as to the anatomic patency of the inferior perirenal space. In practice, however, perirenal fluid collections are usually confined to the perirenal space (Fig. 6-13). If there is deficiency in the cephalad extent of the anterior renal fascia, the superior perirenal space may be open. In such a case, abnormalities of the perirenal space can extend cephalad with the anterior pararenal space to the level of the bare area of the liver.

Figure 6-13 Axial enhanced computed tomographic scan in a patient with perirenal hematoma.

Posterior Pararenal Space

The posterior pararenal space is located between the posterior renal fascia and the transversalis fascia, and continues cephalad to beneath the diaphragm, caudad to the iliac crest, and lateral to form the properitoneal fat stripe. This space contains no organs and does not cross the midline, as the posterior renal fascia fuses with the fascia of the psoas and quadratus lumborum muscles.

Bare Area of the Liver

The bare area of the liver is formed by the peritoneal reflection over the posterior portion of the liver embedded in the diaphragm. The bare area is delineated by the falciform ligament (anterior), the coronary ligament (central), and the right and left triangular ligaments (lateral). It is the cephalad extent of the right anterior pararenal space. Occasionally, the perirenal space is open superiorly and in continuity with the anterior pararenal space in the region of the bare area of the liver. Right pararenal or perirenal hematoma, infection, or neoplasm may extend superiorly to the bare area of the liver, and hematoma from hepatic injury may enter the pararenal or perirenal space via the same pathway. Abscesses can also arise from the liver and extend into the bare area. The bare area of the liver is difficult to visualize on cross-sectional imaging modalities in the absence of peritoneal fluid. However, in patients with sufficient ascites, the bare area is identified as the area along the posterior surface of the liver adjacent to the diaphragm that is spared by the fluid (see Fig. 6-5).