What Is the Function of the Mesentery?

The mesentery is a layer of connective tissue that exists in vertebrates. It exists to sustain and support certain portions of the small intestine from the abdomen. The mesentery consists of parts of the peritoneum. The function of the mesentery is to project and shelter nerves and blood vessels from the central system to the organ.

History

The mesentery is part of the abdomen in most vertebrates. In vertebrates it is described as any part of connective tissue that partitions the abdomen into separate sections. The mesentery comes from the embryologic structure the dorsal mesentery. The embryo also has a portion of tissue called the ventral mesentery, but this usually becomes part of the liver.

Identification

The mesentery is composed of two layers of connective tissue called the peritoneum. The peritoneum covers most of the abdominal organs, providing protection and support. Thus the mesentery serves to keep organs in their place, in addition to protecting them for injury and rubbing against each other, which could cause abrasions and inflammation.

Features

The mesentery also serves to carry and connect important structures to the organs it surrounds. This includes blood vessels, lymph vessels (for carrying away waste) and nerves. Having these important structures encased in the strong tissue of the mesentery allows these organs to move more freely within the abdominal cavity. As a result, the brain does not map sensation to these organs very well and often interprets any sort of pain as coming from the midline of the abdomen, causing the occurrence of referred pain.

Types

The mesentery primarily serves to surround and support a few organs. The mesentery proper, as it is known, surrounds portions of the small intestine, including the ileum and jejenum. Other mesenteries surround the large intestine, creating the mesocolon which includes the mesoapprendix, as well as the transverse and sigmoid mesocolon. Finally mesentery forms the peritoeneum of the broad ligament of the uterus, which surrounds the uterus, uterine tubes, and the ovaries.

Warning

The mesentery can become damaged to mesenteric ischemia. This happens when their is inadequate blow flow to the mesentery. This can be due to a sudden drop in blood pressure, or from other, more local factors, such as a blood clot or a constricted blood vessel. More common in the elderly, it can result in severe abdominal pain and the presence of blood in the stool.