398 



APPLIED ANATOMY. 



the right side and the left lateral ligament on the left. It then covers the upper or 

 parietal surface of the liver and curves around the anterior edge and the under 

 or visceral surface as far as the transverse fissure. Thence it proceeds to the stom- 

 ach, forming the anterior layer of the lesser or gastrohepatic omentum. After 

 covering the anterior wall of the stomach, it leaves the greater curvature to form the 

 anterior layer of the greater omentum. It next passes to the transverse colon, which 

 it covers and passes back to the spine at the lower border of the pancreas. It then 

 goes downward, covering the transverse portion of the duodenum and forming the 

 anterior layer of the mesentery. Having covered the small intestine, it goes back 

 to the spine, forming the posterior layer of the mesentery, and descends until it 

 reaches the rectum. From the rectum it is reflected forward to the upper part of 

 the vagina and uterus in the female, forming the recto-uterine pouch (or pouch of 

 Douglas) or on the bladder in the male, being at this point about 7.5 cm. (3 in.) 

 distant from the anus. After covering the fundus and body of the uterus, it is 

 reflected at the level of the internal os to the bladder, forming the uterovesical 

 fold. From the top of the bladder it passes up the abdominal wall to reach the 

 umbilicus. 



The peritoneum lining the lesser cavity can be followed upward from the anterior 

 surface to the pancreas. It ascends on the posterior abdominal wall to the under 

 surface of the liver, forming the under layer of the coronary and left lateral ligaments, 



Right kidney 



Foramen of Winslow 



Portal vein 

 Common bile duct 



Vena cava 



Aorta 

 ^ , / Left kidney 



Pancreas 



Gastrohepatic omentum' 



Lienorenal ligament 

 Spleen 



Lesser peritoneal cavity 



Gastrosplenic omentum 



Hepatic artery 



"^^t j-' >. ^tr \ 



Stomach 



"Greater peritoneal cavity 

 ^ / 

 Round ligament* 



Falciform ligament 

 FIG. 413. Transverse section made through the foramen of Winslow. (Viewed from above.) 



and at the transverse fissure is reflected to the posterior surface of the stomach, 

 forming in its course the posterior layer of the gastrohepatic omentum. From the 

 greater curvature it passes downward and then upward to the colon, forming the 

 posterior layer of the greater omentum. From the posterior edge of the transverse 

 colon it passes to the anterior surface of the pancreas, having in its course formed 

 the upper (cephalad) layer of the transverse mesocolon. 



Viewing the body in transverse section. On examining a transverse section 

 made below the foramen of- Winslow, the peritoneum is seen coming from the 

 parietes and passing over the ascending colon, leaving its posterior surface uncovered. 

 Thence it passes over the vena cava and spine, to go to the mesentery and small 

 intestines. Returning to the spine, it passes over the aorta, and out over the 

 descending colon, usually leaving a portion of its posterior surface uncovered. 

 Thence it returns to the anterior parietes. 



In a section made passing through the foramen of Winslow (Fig. 413), the mode 

 of formation of the lesser cavity of the peritoneum and the relation of the peritoneum 

 to the stomach, spleen, and kidneys will be more readily understood. Beginning 

 on the anterior abdominal wall, at the median line and proceeding to the right, the 

 peritoneum is seen to enclose the round ligament of the liver, forming a mesentery 

 for it named the falciform ligament. Continuing around, the peritoneum lines the 

 inner surface of the anterior and lateral abdominal walls, covers the anterior surface 

 of the right kidney, and, after forming the posterior wall of the foramen of Winslow, 

 covers the vena cava, aorta, spine, and pancreas; it then passes over the left kidney 



