Retroperitoneum

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Retroperitoneum

Transverse section, showing the relations of the capsule of the kidney.

Human kidneys viewed from behind with spine removed
Latin	spatium retroperitoneale
MeSH	Retroperitoneal+Space
Dorlands/Elsevier	s_16/12746619

The retroperitoneum (adj. retroperitoneal) is the anatomical space behind (retro) the abdominal cavity. It has no specific delineating anatomical structures.

Retroperitoneal bleeding, such as from a ruptured aortic aneurysm shows as Grey Turner's sign (flank bruising).

[edit] Secondarily retroperitoneal organs

Organs that were once suspended within the abdominal cavity by mesentery but migrated posterior to the peritoneum during the course of embryogenesis to become retroperitoneal are considered to be secondarily retroperitoneal organs.

[edit] Retroperitoneal structures

Structures that lie behind the peritoneum are termed "retroperitoneal". These include:

primarily retroperitoneal
- kidneys
- suprarenal glands
- bladder
- ureter
- inferior vena cava
- rectum
- esophagus (part)

secondarily retroperitoneal
- part of the pancreas
- the second, third and fourth portions of the duodenum (but not the first portion)
- ascending and descending portions of the colon