Abstract
Recent advances in mesenteric anatomy have clarified the shape of the mesentery in
adulthood. A key finding is the recognition of mesenteric continuity, which extends
from the oesophagogastric junction to the mesorectal level. All abdominal digestive
organs develop within, or on, the mesentery and in adulthood remain directly connected
to the mesentery. Identification of mesenteric continuity has enabled division of
the abdomen into two separate compartments. These are the mesenteric domain (upon
which the abdominal digestive system is centered) and the non-mesenteric domain, which
comprises the urogenital system, musculoskeletal frame, and great vessels. Given this
anatomical endpoint differs significantly from conventional descriptions, a reappraisal
of mesenteric developmental anatomy was recently performed. The following narrative
review summarizes recent advances in abdominal embryology and mesenteric morphogenesis.
It also examines the developmental basis for compartmentalizing the abdomen into two
separate domains along mesenteric lines.
Keywords
mesentery - peritoneum - abdomen - anatomy - embryology
