The double fold of PERITONEUM by which the large INTESTINE is suspended from the back wall of the abdomen.
n. the fold of peritoneum by which the colon is fixed to the posterior abdominal wall. Usually only the transverse and sigmoid mesocolons persist in the adult, attached to the transverse and sigmoid colon, respectively.
Mesentery is the double layer of peritoneal membrane which supports the small INTESTINE. It is of a fan shape, and its shorter edge is attached to the back wall of the abdomen for a distance of about 15 cm (6 inches), while the small intestine lies within its longer edge, for a length of over 6 metres (20 feet). The terms mesocolon, mesorectum, etc., are applied to similar folds of PERITONEUM that support parts of the colon, rectum, etc.... mesentery
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