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

The intestines receive blood from the mesentery, a membrane that holds them in place, “and he had a piece of that mesentery blown off,” Gonzalez said.

From Washington Post

For example, the intestines are essentially free floating within the abdomen, tethered only to the posterior abdominal wall by the mesentery.

From Scientific American

We are instructed to rip, tear, probe, and slice muscle and mesentery, with no threat of consequence.

From Scientific American

He said the mesentery should be now be investigated to the same degree as other organs and systems in the human body.

From BBC

Named the mesentery, the organ was previously thought to consist of fragmented and disparate structures.

From Time