| Summary: | The peritoneum is a serous membrane of mesodermal origin that coats the abdominal wall
and forms a lining on most abdominal organs. It consists of a thin layer of mesothelial cells
over a basal lamina and is divided into the parietal peritoneum, which covers the abdominal
and pelvic walls and the visceral peritoneum which surrounds the visceral organs (stomach,
spleen, liver and some parts of the intestine) (1–3). The space found between the parietal and
visceral peritoneum is called the peritoneal cavity and, in physiological conditions, contains
between 50-100 mL of peritoneal fluid that serves as lubricant reducing friction among
intraperitoneal organs during peristalsis and is provided with nutrients, growth factors,
cytokines and chemokines as well as immune cells (1, 2). Thus, the peritoneum plays a
crucial role in the maintenance of homeostasis in the peritoneal cavity mediating antigen
presentation, inflammatory responses, fibrosis and tissue repair (1).
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