THE ABDOMEN, I ANTERIOR. 473 



mesentery, mesorectum ; and ligament, the process of peri- 

 toneum that connects and supports organs not parts of the 

 alimentary canal, as the ligaments of the liver, uterus, etc. ; 

 exceptions are the gastrophrenic and costocolic ligaments. 



The hollows formed by the reflections of the peritoneum 

 are called fossae, the position being indicated by the names 

 of the parts between which the fossa is formed, as recto- 

 vesical fossa. 



The anterior parietal layer of peritoneum has been ex- 

 posed. It is seen to cover the abdominal organs and reach 

 from the pelvic cavity to the under side of the diaphragm. 

 Attention has already been called to the fact that the peri- 

 toneum can be raised from the iliac fossae, exposing the 

 vessels there. The membrane is now to be opened by an 

 incision from the ensiform to the symphysis at the left of 

 the middle line, and one horizontally across just below the 

 umbilicus. 



Reflect the four segments. Attached to the right upper 

 one are two ligaments of the liver. Save these. Diag. 40. 



To follow the peritoneum, the membrane is seen lining 

 the under surface of the diaphragm to the posterior portion ; 

 it then is reflected on to the liver and the cesophageal end 

 of the stomach, forming the anterior layer of the coronary 

 and lateral ligaments of the liver and the gastrophrenic 

 ligament of the stomach ; then, covering the upper surface 

 of the liver, the peritoneum turns over its anterior border 

 to line its under surface as far backward as the point of 

 entrance of the hepatic vessels ; at this place the membrane 

 descends to the lesser curvature of the stomach, forming 

 the anterior layer of the gastrohepatic omentum. 



The peritoneum covers the entire anterior surface of the 

 stomach and first portion of the duodenum, and from the 

 greater curvature of the former and front of the latter this 



