visceral peritoneum n the part of the peritoneum that lines the abdominal viscera compare PARIETAL PERITONEUM
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peritoneum viscerale [TA] a continuation of the parietal peritoneum reflected at various places over the viscera, forming a complete covering for the stomach, spleen, liver, intestines from the distal duodenum to the upper end of the rectum, uterus, and ovaries; it also partially covers some other abdominal organs. It holds the viscera in position by its folds, including the mesenteries, the omenta, and the ligaments of the liver, spleen, stomach, kidneys, bladder, and uterus. The potential space between the visceral and the parietal peritoneum is the peritoneal cavity (see cavitas peritonealis). The general cavity communicates by the epiploic foramen with the bursa omentalis (or lesser peritoneal cavity). Called also intestinal p.Medical dictionary. 2011.