greater omentum

omentum /omen·tum/ (o-men´tum) pl. omen´ta   [L.] a fold of peritoneum extending from the stomach to adjacent abdominal organs.

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colic omentum , gastrocolic omentum greater o.

gastrohepatic omentum  lesser o.

greater omentum  a peritoneal fold suspended from the greater curvature of the stomach and attached to the anterior surface of the transverse colon.

lesser omentum  a peritoneal fold joining the lesser curvature of the stomach and the first part of the duodenum to the porta hepatis.

omentum ma´jus  greater o.

omentum mi´nus  lesser o.

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greater omentum

n.

A peritoneal fold passing from the stomach to the transverse colon, hanging like an apron in front of the intestines. Also called caul, epiploon, gastrocolic omentum, velum.

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greater omentum

Etymology: AS, great, large; L, omentum, entrails

a filmy, transparent double fold of the peritoneum, draping the transverse colon and coils of the small intestine. It is attached along the greater curvature of the stomach and the first part of the duodenum. It is a readily movable structure that spreads easily into areas of trauma, often sealing hernias and walling off infections that would otherwise cause general peritonitis, as can occur from a ruptured vermiform appendix. It also contains fat and keeps the intestines warm. Also called gastrocolic omentum. Compare lesser omentum.

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omentum

pl. omenta [L.] a fold of peritoneum extending from the stomach to adjacent abdominal organs. Lace-like in pigs, carnivores and the horse, sheetlike in ruminants.

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gastrocolic omentum

the part of the greater omentum attached to the colon.

gastrohepatic omentum

the part of the lesser omentum attached to the liver.

greater omentum

the double fold of peritoneum derived from the dorsal mesogastrium that extends from the greater curvature of the stomach over the floor of the abdomen like an apron; poorly developed in the horse and well developed in ruminants.

lesser omentum

a peritoneal fold joining the lesser curvature of the stomach and the first part of the duodenum to the porta hepatis.

omentum majus

greater omentum.

omentum minus

lesser omentum.