Peritoneum

Alternative forms

• peritonaeum

Origin

From Ancient Greek περί- (peri, "around") + τόνος (tonos, "stretch") + -αιος (-aios, "suffix to form an adjective").

Full definition of peritoneum

Noun

1. (anatomy) In mammals, the serous membrane lining the cavity of the abdomen and that is folded over the viscera.
2. (zoology) In animals, the membrane lining the coelom cavity.

Derived terms

• peritoneal
• peritoneally
• peritonitis