Viszeralperitoneum

Visceral peritoneum is the part of the peritoneal serous membrane that covers the surfaces of most abdominal and pelvic organs within the peritoneal cavity. It forms the inner layer of the peritoneum, in contrast to the parietal peritoneum that lines the abdominal wall.

Structurally, the visceral peritoneum is composed of a layer of mesothelial cells (simple squamous epithelium) overlying connective tissue. It is continuous with the parietal peritoneum at the sites where organs are connected to the body wall by mesenteries, omenta, and ligaments.

Its primary function is to provide a smooth, lubricated surface that reduces friction as the organs glide against one another and against the cavity walls. It also forms various reflections, such as the mesenteries and the omenta, which carry blood vessels, nerves, and lymphatics to the organs they envelop and help suspend them within the cavity. The visceral peritoneum secretes and absorbs peritoneal fluid to maintain a lubricating film.

Innervation of the visceral peritoneum is via autonomic nerves; it is less sensitive to pain than the parietal peritoneum, and pain arising from it is typically poorly localized and often referred.

Clinically, disease can involve the visceral peritoneum as part of general peritonitis or peritoneal carcinomatosis, and tumors can spread along peritoneal surfaces. Embryologically, it arises from the splanchnic (visceral) mesoderm and, like the parietal peritoneum, is derived from the serous membrane that lines the abdominal cavity.