Mesentery

Mesentery: Basic aspects and functions of the mesentery

The mesentery, also known as the mesentery or mesosthenia, is an important anatomical structure in the human body. It is a peritoneal ligament that contains blood vessels, nerves and lymph nodes, and serves to anchor the intestines to the walls of the abdominal cavity. In this article, we will look at the main aspects and functions of the mesentery.

The first thing to note is that the mesentery serves as support and protection for the intestines. It forms special ligaments that hold the intestines in a certain position, preventing excessive movement and promoting the normal function of the digestive system. The mesentery prevents the intestines from moving freely within the abdominal cavity, which helps prevent the intestines from becoming tangled and causing intestinal hernias.

In addition, the mesentery plays an important role in supplying blood to the intestines. Arteries and veins pass inside the mesentery, which nourish the intestines and ensure its normal functioning. Particularly important are the portal veins, which drain blood from the intestines to the liver for processing and filtration. Thanks to the mesentery, the blood vessels of the intestine are organized in a certain order, which helps ensure effective blood circulation and metabolism.

Another function of the mesentery is related to the lymphatic system. Inside the mesentery are lymph nodes, which play an important role in protecting the body from infections and tumors. The intestinal lymphatic system is closely connected to the mesentery, and thanks to this, lymph can circulate freely and perform its protective function.

Finally, the mesentery is important for surgical procedures. During abdominal surgery, the mesentery may be divided or removed. However, in recent years, it has been discovered that preserving the mesentery during surgery can have a positive impact on patients. Preserving the mesentery may help prevent postoperative complications related to poor circulation and bowel function.

In conclusion, the mesentery is an important structure in the human body that performs several key functions. It supports and protects the intestines, provides blood supply and lymphatic drainage, and is also important in surgery. Understanding the anatomy and function of the mesentery helps health care professionals more effectively diagnose and treat diseases associated with this structure, as well as increases overall understanding of the organization and function of the digestive system. Further research and development in this area may lead to improved treatments and prevention of complications associated with mesentery.



The mesentery is the general name for the collection of blood vessels and lymph nodes that arise from the walls of the intestine and are located between adjacent abdominal organs. In anatomy, it is also commonly called the subserosal layer of the peritoneum or the mesogastric ligament. It is located to the right of the line connecting the vertebral ends of the XII thoracic and I lumbar vertebrae, to the left - from the point of connection of the costal arches I and II on the right and VIII-XII on the left.

If we describe the mesentery graphically, it will be an oval or circle, slightly flattened horizontally and located in the center of the abdomen. Or, the shape of most of the mesenteries resembles two letters “X”, inverted with the ribs up. From the ends of these "X's" come smooth tissues that adhere to the walls of the colon.

The concept of mesenteric tissue includes the following parts:

· 2 sheets, smooth on both sides; · narrow, thin seminal tissue (very common in the human body, but in the vast majority of cases, the pathology of this structure occurs specifically in females);

In addition, in the mesenteric zone there are 3 groups of ligaments:

a) Boari ligaments, which serve to strengthen the muscles and ligaments of the abdominal wall;

b)