Structure
The mesocolon is a mesentery that attaches the colon to the posterior abdominal wall. It results from the reflection of parietal peritoneum of the posterior abdominal wall. The mesocolon contains a substantial amount of adipose tissue, as well as the neurovascular supply to the colon. Where it is adhered to the posterior abdominal wall, it is held in place by a layer of loose connective tissue (Toldt’s fascia).
Related parts of the anatomy
Anatomical Relations
The mesocolon extends along the entire length of the colon, from the distal root of the small intestine mesentery, along the ascending, transverse, colon, and sigmoid colons to reach the rectum, which is not surrounded by peritoneum, roughly at the level of the third sacral vertebra (S3).
Differing parts of the mesocolon that extend to portions of the colon that remain static become adherent with the parietal peritoneum and are called secondarily retroperitoneal (Standring, 2016). Other parts retain their mobility and mesentery, thus staying intraperitoneal.
Function
The mesocolon adheres the colon to the posterior abdominal wall, keeping it supported as well as lubricated to reduce friction between it and adjacent viscera. It also offers a conduit for neurovascular and lymphatics to reach respective areas of the colon (Moore, Dalley and Agur, 2013).
List of Clinical Correlates
—Adhesions
References
Moore, K. L., Dalley, A. F. and Agur, A. M. R. (2013) Clinically Oriented Anatomy. Clinically Oriented Anatomy 7th edn.: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Learn more about this topic from other Elsevier products
Mesocolon
The transverse mesocolon (TM) is a peritoneal fold that surrounds the transverse colon with its root running along the ventral length of the body of the pancreas.
