Retroperitoneum

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Retroperitoneum
Transverse section, showing the relations of the capsule of the kidney. (Peritoneum is labeled at center right.)
Human kidneys viewed from behind with spine removed
Latin	spatium retroperitoneale
MeSH	Retroperitoneal+Space

The retroperitoneum (or extraperitoneum) is the anatomical space in the abdominal cavity behind (retro) the peritoneum. It has no specific delineating anatomical structures. Organs are retroperitoneal if they only have peritoneum on their anterior side.

Retroperitoneal bleeding, such as from a ruptured aortic aneurysm shows as Grey Turner's sign (flank bruising).

Contents 1 Secondarily retroperitoneal organs 2 Retroperitoneal structures 3 Role in disease 4 References

[edit] Secondarily retroperitoneal organs

Organs that were once suspended within the abdominal cavity by mesentery but migrated posterior to the peritoneum during the course of embryogenesis to become retroperitoneal are considered to be secondarily retroperitoneal organs.

[edit] Retroperitoneal structures

Structures that lie behind the peritoneum are termed "retroperitoneal". These include:

• Primarily retroperitoneal:
  • urinary
    • adrenal glands
    • kidneys
    • ureter
    • bladder
  • circulatory
    • aorta
    • inferior vena cava
  • digestive
    • esophagus (part)
    • rectum (part, lower third is extraperitoneal)

• Secondarily retroperitoneal:
  • the head, neck, and body of the pancreas (but not the tail, which is located in the splenorenal ligament)^[1]
  • the duodenum, except for the proximal first segment, which is peritoneal^[2]
  • ascending and descending portions of the colon (but not the transverse or sigmoid)

A useful mnemonic to aid recollection of the abdominal retroperitoneal viscera is SAD PUCKER:

• S = Suprarenal glands (aka the adrenal glands)
• A = Aorta/IVC
• D = Duodenum (second and third segments [some also include the fourth segment] )
• P = Pancreas (tail is intraperitoneal)
• U = Ureters
• C = Colon (only the ascending and descending branches)
• K = Kidneys
• E = Esophagus
• R = Rectum

[edit] Role in disease

• Retroperitoneal fibrosis
• Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Dissection

[edit] References

v • d • e General anatomy of torso Thorax/ Thoracic cavity Mediastinum (Superior, Anterior, Middle, Posterior) · Superior thoracic aperture · Inferior thoracic aperture · Triangle of auscultation · Intercostal space · Thoracic plane · Thoracic wall/Thoracic cage · fascia (Pectoral fascia, Clavipectoral fascia, Thoracolumbar fascia) · Chest · Midsternal line Thoracic diaphragm openings (Caval opening, Esophageal hiatus, Aortic hiatus, Foramina of Morgagni) · Central tendon · Crus of diaphragm · arcuate ligaments (Lateral, Medial, Median) Abdomen/ Abdominal cavity Retroperitoneum · Paracolic gutters · Hepatobiliary triangle anterior abdominal wall (Arcuate line, Linea alba, Tendinous intersection, Linea semilunaris, McBurney's point, Traube's space, Inguinal triangle) · Inguinal canal (Deep inguinal ring, Superficial inguinal ring, Intercrural fibers, Crura of superficial inguinal ring) · Lumbar triangle · regions (Epigastrium, Hypochondrium, Umbilical region, Latus, Hypogastrium, Inguinal region) · planes (Transpyloric plane, Intertubercular plane, Midclavicular line) · quadrants (RUQ, LUQ, RLQ, LLQ) fascia (Fascia of Camper, Fascia of Scarpa, Transversalis fascia, Renal fascia, Rectus sheath) Pelvis/ Pelvic cavity Pelvic floor · Retropubic space fascia (Pelvic fascia, Superior fascia of diaphragm of pelvis, Inferior fascia of diaphragm of pelvis, Fascia of the Obturator internus, Tendinous arch, Iliac fascia, Iliopectineal fascia) Perineum Anal triangle (Ischioanal fossa, Pudendal canal, Anococcygeal raphe) Urogenital triangle (Superficial perineal pouch, Deep perineal pouch) Perineal body fascia (Dartos/fascia of perineum/superficial perineal fascia/Fascia of Colles, Perineal membrane/"Inferior fascia of UGD", "Superior fascia of UGD")