What is the Difference Between Omentum and Mesentery?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The omentum and mesentery are both structures within the abdominal cavity that are involved in supporting and connecting organs. However, they have distinct characteristics and functions:
Omentum:
- Omentum is a fold of the peritoneum, a serous membrane lining the abdominal cavity.
- It is derived from the visceral peritoneum covering the stomach and extends on both sides.
- There are two types of omenta: the greater omentum, which hangs down from the transverse colon of the large intestine like an apron, and the lesser omentum, which is much smaller and extends between the stomach and the liver.
- The omentum is primarily a supportive tissue, enclosing nerves, blood vessels, lymph channels, and fatty and connective tissue.
Mesentery:
- Mesentery is a distinct part of the peritoneum that connects the intestines to the abdominal wall, providing nerve innervation, blood supply, and structural support.
- It serves as a conduit for blood vessels, nerves, and lymphatic vessels going to and from the organ in question.
- The mesentery is attached to the wall of the abdomen and encloses the viscera, extending from the pancreas over the small intestine.
In summary, the omentum is a fold of the peritoneum that supports and connects the stomach to other abdominal organs, while the mesentery is a part of the peritoneum that connects the intestines to the abdominal wall, providing structural support and serving as a conduit for blood vessels and nerves.
On this pageWhat is the Difference Between Omentum and Mesentery? Comparative Table: Omentum vs Mesentery
Comparative Table: Omentum vs Mesentery
The omentum and mesentery are both supporting tissues in the abdominal cavity, but they have distinct differences:
Feature | Omentum | Mesentery |
---|---|---|
Definition | A layer of the peritoneum that hangs over the stomach and connects to the transverse colon. | A supportive tissue rooted into the intestines. |
Origin | Omentum is derived from the dorsal (greater omentum) and ventral (lesser omentum) mesenteries. | Mesentery typically arises from the root of the mesentery, which is 15 to 20 cm wide and gets attached to the colon at the gastrointestinal margin. |
Function | The omentum is a portion of fat-derived supportive tissue. | The mesentery provides support to the intestines. |
Structure | Composed of two parts: the greater omentum and the lesser omentum. | The mesentery is a double sheet of peritoneum that connects the visceral peritoneum to the parietal peritoneum. |
Read more:
- Peritoneum vs Omentum
- Mesoderm vs Mesenchyme
- Peritoneal vs Retroperitoneal
- Somatic vs Splanchnic Mesoderm
- Omasum vs Abomasum
- Mesenchyme vs Ectomesenchyme
- Intraperitoneal vs Retroperitoneal
- Endothelium vs Mesothelium
- Abdomen vs Stomach
- Jejunum vs Ileum
- Duodenum vs Jejunum
- Gut vs Stomach
- Omphalocele vs Gastroschisis
- Coelom vs Pseudocoelom
- Visceral vs Parietal Serous Membranes
- Ectoderm vs Endoderm
- Colon vs Intestines
- Seroma vs Hernia
- Epithelial vs Mesenchymal Cells