mesentery

[ mes-uh n-ter-ee, mez- ]

/ ˈmɛs ənˌtɛr i, ˈmɛz- /

noun, plural mes·en·ter·ies. Anatomy.

the membrane, consisting of a double layer of peritoneum, that invests the intestines, attaching them to the posterior wall of the abdomen, maintaining them in position in the abdominal cavity, and supplying them with blood vessels, nerves, and lymphatics, especially the part of this membrane investing the jejunum and ileum.

Nearby words

Origin of mesentery

1375–1425; late Middle English < New Latin mesenterium < Greek mesentérion (equivalent to mes- mes- + entérion, neuter of entérios of the bowel); see enteron

Related formsmes·en·ter·ic, adjectivein·ter·mes·en·ter·ic, adjectivepost·mes·en·ter·ic, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for mesentery

With the coils of the small intestine turned over to the right, the left leaf of the mesentery is turned toward the observer.
The Anatomy of the Human Peritoneum and Abdominal Cavity|George. S. Huntington
Here the peritoneum investing the ventral surface of the duodenum becomes continuous with the right leaf of the mesentery.
The Anatomy of the Human Peritoneum and Abdominal Cavity|George. S. Huntington
The sexually mature worms are to be found in the blood, the lymphatics, the mesentery and subcutaneous connective tissue.
Handbook of Medical Entomology|William Albert Riley
The intestines are suspended to the posterior wall of the abdomen by a double fold of peritoneum called the mesentery.
A Practical Physiology|Albert F. Blaisdell

The mesentery, ms, is here of considerable length and continues around the yolk in a layer of diminishing thickness.
Development of the Digestive Canal of the American Alligator|Albert M. Reese

British Dictionary definitions for mesentery

mesentery

/ (ˈmɛsəntərɪ, ˈmɛz-) /

noun plural -teries

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

Derived Formsmesenteric, adjective

Word Origin for mesentery

C16: from New Latin mesenterium; see meso- + enteron

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for mesentery

mesentery

fold of the peritoneum, early 15c., from medical Latin mesenterium "middle of the intestine," from medical Greek mesenterion, from mesos "middle" (see medial (adj.)) + enteron "intestine" (see enteric). Related: Mesenteric.

Medicine definitions for mesentery

mesentery

[ mĕz′ən-tĕr′ē ]

n.

A double layer of peritoneum attached to the abdominal wall and enclosing in its fold certain organs of the abdominal viscera.

A fold of the peritoneum that connects the intestines to the dorsal abdominal wall, especially such a fold that envelops the jejunum and ileum.

Related formsmes′en•ter′ic adj.