mesentery

mes·en·tery

noun \ˈme-z^ən-ˌter-ē, -s^ən-\

plural mes·en·ter·ies

Definition of MESENTERY

1

a : one or more vertebrate membranes that consist of a double fold of the peritoneum and invest the intestines and their appendages and connect them with the dorsal wall of the abdominal cavity b : a fold of membrane comparable to a mesentery and supporting a viscus (as the heart) that is not a part of the digestive tract

2

: a support or partition in an invertebrate like the vertebrate mesentery

— mes·en·ter·ic \ˌme-z^ən-ˈter-ik, -s^ən-\ adjective

Origin of MESENTERY

Middle English mesenterie, from Medieval Latin mesenterion, from Greek, from mes- + enteron intestine — more at inter-

First Known Use: 15th century