My watch list

Retroperitoneum

Retroperitoneum

Transverse section, showing the relations of the capsule of the kidney.

Human kidneys viewed from behind with spine removed
Latin	spatium retroperitoneale
MeSH	Retroperitoneal+Space
Dorlands/Elsevier	s_16/12746619

The retroperitoneum (adj. retroperitoneal) is the anatomical space behind (retro) the abdominal cavity. It has no specific delineating anatomical structures. Organs are retroperitoneal if they only have peritoneum on their anterior side. There is a 52% chance of surviving Retroperitoneal cancer.^[1]

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

Additional recommended knowledge

Essential Laboratory Skills Guide

How to Quickly Check Pipettes?

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.

Retroperitoneal structures

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

Primarily retroperitoneal:
- urinary
- circulatory
  - aorta
  - inferior vena cava
- digestive
  - esophagus (part)
  - rectum

Secondarily retroperitoneal:
- the head and neck of the pancreas (but not the tail)^[2]
- the second and third portions of the duodenum (but not the first or fourth)^[3]
- ascending and descending portions of the colon (but not the transverse or sigmoid)

Mnemonic

The mnemonic SAD PUCKER is commonly used to remember the retroperitoneal viscera.^[4]

Suprarenal glands
Aorta and Inferior vena cava
Duodenum
Pancreas (except the tail)
Ureter
Colon (ascending and descending)
Kidneys
Esophagus
Rectum

This one is all the abdominal retroperitoneal viscera: Ursula Uses Kids to Deliver All Lemon Pies except Sue’s Tasty Crust

Ureters
Urinary bladder
Kidneys
Duodenum
Adrenal glands
Large intestine
Pancreas
EXCEPT (not retroperitoneal!)
- Sigmoid
- Transverse
- Colon

Role in disease

Retroperitoneal fibrosis
Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Dissection

References

^ http://seer.cancer.gov/csr/1975_2004/results_single/sect_01_table.04_2pgs.pdf
^ Kyung Won, PhD. Chung (2005). Gross Anatomy (Board Review). Hagerstwon, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 256. ISBN 0-7817-5309-0.
^ The Posterior Abdominal Wall. Retrieved on 2007-11-17.
^ Mnemonic at medicalmnemonics.com 510 1676

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) 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)
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")