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
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
digestive
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]
S uprarenal glands
A orta and Inferior vena cava
D uodenum
P ancreas (except the tail)
U reter
C olon (ascending and descending)
K idneys
E sophagus
R ectum
This one is all the abdominal retroperitoneal viscera: U rsula U ses K ids to D eliver A ll L emon P ies except S ue’s T asty C rust
U reters
U rinary bladder
K idneys
D uodenum
A drenal glands
L arge intestine
P ancreas
EXCEPT (not retroperitoneal!)
Role in disease
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
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 lineThoracic 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 spacefascia (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")