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Origin and Etymology of peritoneum
Middle English, from Late Latin, from Greek peritonaion, neuter of peritonaios stretched around, from peri- + teinein to stretch — more at thin
First Known Use: 15th century
Medical Dictionary
peritoneum
Medical Definition of peritoneum
peritoneums
or chiefly Britishperitonaeums
\-ˈē-əmz\play orperitonea
or chiefly Britishperitonaea
\-ˈē-ə\play: the smooth transparent serous membrane that lines the cavity of the abdomen of a mammal, is folded inward over the abdominal and pelvic viscera, and consists of an outer layer closely adherent to the walls of the abdomen and an inner layer that folds to invest the viscera—see parietal peritoneum, visceral peritoneum; compare mesentery 1
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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about peritoneum
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