mesentery

[ mes-uhn-ter-ee, mez- ]

noun

, Anatomy.

, plural mes·en·ter·ies.

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

mesentery

/ 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

Derived Forms

• ˌmesenˈteric, adjective

Other Words From

• mesen·teric adjective
• inter·mesen·teric adjective
• postmes·en·teric adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of mesentery¹

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); -ium ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of mesentery¹

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

Example Sentences

Galen disputed this, for he believed that the intestinal chyle was carried by the veins of the mesentery into the liver.

From Project Gutenberg

In 1687 Cowper saw the passage of the arterial into the venous current in the mesentery of a cat.

From Project Gutenberg

Observe the condition of the omentum, the mesentery, the viscera and the peritoneal surface of the intestines.

From Project Gutenberg

If a part of the dividing wall remains, it serves as mesentery to fasten the gut to the body-wall.

From Project Gutenberg

The mesentery, ms, is here of considerable length and continues around the yolk in a layer of diminishing thickness.

From Project Gutenberg