Definition of Mesentery
Mesentery: A fold of tissue which attaches organs to
the body wall.
The word mesentery usually refers to the small bowel
mesentery which anchors the small intestine to the back of the
abdominal wall. Blood vessels, nerves, and lymphatics branch
through the mesentery to supply the intestine.
Other mesenteries exist to support the
sigmoid colon, appendix, transverse colon, and portions of the
ascending and descending
colon.
Last Editorial Review: 3/26/1998 2:27:00 PM
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