mesentery

American  

[mes-uhn-ter-ee, mez-] / ˈmɛs ənˌtɛr i, ˈmɛz- /

noun

Anatomy.

plural

mesenteries

1. an organ that, as a double fold of peritoneum, loops around the pancreas and the intestines, holding them securely to the abdominal wall.

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mesentery British  

/ ˈmɛsəntərɪ, ˈmɛz- /

noun

1. the double layer of peritoneum that is attached to the back wall of the abdominal cavity and supports most of the small intestine

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Other Word Forms

• intermesenteric
  adjective
• mesenteric
  adjective
• postmesenteric
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of mesentery

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English , from New Latin mesenterium, from Greek mesentérion (equivalent to mes- mes- + énteron enteron + Greek -ion noun suffix); see -ium ( def. )

Example Sentences

Each mesentery consists of one ectodermal and one endodermal cell layer with the mesoglea sandwiched in between.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

The jejunum and ileum are tethered to the posterior abdominal wall by the mesentery.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

The mesoappendix, the mesentery of the appendix, tethers it to the mesentery of the ileum.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

Each mesentery is attached by its upper margin to the peristome, by its outer margin to the body-wall, and by its lower margin to the basal disk.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 2 "Anjar" to "Apollo" by Various

The abdominal walls may become thickened to the extent of a couple of inches, and the mesentery, omentum, perinephritic tissue, and liver may become enormously increased in weight from the mass of accumulated fat.

From A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I Volume 1: Pathology and General Diseases by Various