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mesentery

The definition of mesentery is the membrane that wraps around the small intestine and connects it to the wall of the abdominal cavity.

(noun)

An example of the mesentery is the peritoneum.

See mesentery in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun pl. mesenteries

a supporting membrane or membranes enfolding some internal organ and attaching it either to the body wall or to another organ; esp., a double thickness of the peritoneum enfolding most of the small intestine and attaching it to the spinal wall of the abdominal cavity

Origin: ML mesenterium < Gr mesenterion < mesos, mid + enteron, intestine: see inter-

Related Forms:

mesenteric adjective

See mesentery in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. mes·en·ter·ies

Any of several folds of the peritoneum that connect the intestines to the dorsal abdominal wall, especially such a fold that envelops the jejunum and ileum.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English mesenterie

Origin: , from Medieval Latin mesenterium

Origin: , from Greek mesenterion

Origin: : meso-, meso-

Origin: + enterion

Origin: , diminutive of enteron, entrails; see en in Indo-European roots

Related Forms: