3. One of the folds of the peritoneum
that connect the stomach with
other abdominal organs, especially
the greater omentum or the lesser
omentum.
Definition:
n. pl. o·men·tums or o·men·ta (-t )
One of the folds of the peritoneum that connect the stomach with other abdominal organs, especially the greater omentum or the lesser omentum.
4. The omentum is like a blanket covering
all the intestine. On opening the belly,
it's the first thing seen.
7. The greater omentum is a large fold of
visceral peritoneum that hangs down from
the stomach. It extends from the greater
curvature of the stomach, passing in front of
the small intestines and reflects on itself to
ascend to the transverse colon before
reaching to the posterior abdominal wall.
8. Also known as:
great omentum
omentum majus
gastrocolic omentum
epiploon
in animals, caul
( "epiploon" from the Greek "epipleein" means
to float or sail on, since the greater omentum
appears to float on the surface of the
intestines.)
9. Embrological Development
The greater omentum develops from
the dorsal mesentery that connects
the stomach to the posterior abdominal wall
12. The lesser omentum is the double layer
of peritoneum that extends from the liver to
the lesser curvature of the stomach and the
start of the duodenum.
13. Also known as:
small omentum;
gastrohepatic omentum;
Latin: omentum minus
14.
15. Histology of Omentum
It is loose areolar connective tissue.
--Contains all types of cells , fibres and ground
substance.
Hence it used for,
--packing
--anchoring
--embedding
--joining different tissues
16. Functions
Fat deposition, having varying amounts
of adipose tissue
Immune contribution, having milky
spots of macrophage collections
Infection and wound isolation; It may also
physically limit the spread of intraperitoneal
infections.
The greater omentum can often be found
wrapped around areas of infection and trauma.
17. Policeman of Abdomen
because whenever something goes wrong,
the omentum is there to pile up on it and seal
it off.That's it's job. It stuffs up against
whatever has inflammation or infection, and
it scars down, sealing holes, bringing blood
flow and immune function. It's really quite
amazing that it does this so well, considering
it's just a dumb flap of fat with some blood
vessels in it
18. Omentectomy
Omentectomy refers to the surgical removal
of the omentum, a relatively simple
procedure with no major side effects, that is
performed in cases where there may be
spread of cancerous tissue into the omentum.
Examples:
ovarian cancer
advanced or aggressive endometrial cancer
intestinal cancer.
19. Difference between Mesentery
and Omentum
mesentery is the support tissue that the
intestine is rooted into.
The omentum is a fatty blanket that hangs
down in front of all of the intestines.