Retroperitoneum

Retroperitoneum

The Retroperitoneum is an anatomical space in the abdominal cavity behind the peritoneum. It is located between the posterior parietal peritoneum and the posterior abdominal wall. The retroperitoneum contains many vital structures, including the kidneys, adrenal glands, and major blood vessels.

Anatomy

The retroperitoneum is divided into three spaces by the peritoneal ligaments and fasciae. These are the anterior pararenal space, the perirenal space, and the posterior pararenal space. Each of these spaces contains different organs and structures.

Anterior Pararenal Space

The anterior pararenal space contains the pancreas, ascending and descending parts of the duodenum, and parts of the colon.

Perirenal Space

The perirenal space contains the kidneys, adrenal glands, and perirenal fat.

Posterior Pararenal Space

The posterior pararenal space is a fat-filled space that does not contain any major organs.

Clinical Significance

The retroperitoneum is clinically significant because it is the site of several important diseases, including retroperitoneal fibrosis, retroperitoneal hematoma, and retroperitoneal abscess. It is also the site of certain surgical procedures, such as retroperitoneal lymph node dissection.

See Also

• Peritoneum
• Abdominal cavity
• Retroperitoneal fibrosis
• Retroperitoneal hematoma
• Retroperitoneal abscess

References

Retroperitoneum Resources
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