Peritoneal spaces

Peritoneal spaces are separate compartments within the peritoneal cavity.

Gross anatomy

These spaces are separated or compartmentalized by various peritoneal ligaments and their attachments.

The peritoneal cavity can be divided into the following spaces:

• supramesocolic space: 
  • right supramesocolic space
    • right subphrenic space
    • anterior right subhepatic space
    • posterior right subhepatic space (Morison pouch)
    • lesser sac
  • left supramesocolic space
    • left ​subhepatic space
      • anterior left subhepatic space
      • posterior left subhepatic space
    • left subphrenic space
      • anterior left subphrenic space
      • posterior left subphrenic (perisplenic) space
• inframesocolic space
  • right inframesocolic space
  • left inframesocolic space
  • right and left paracolic gutters
• pelvic spaces
  • paravesical spaces
  • rectovesical pouch
  • rectouterine space (pouch of Douglas): in females

Related pathology

The peritoneal spaces are important in the peritoneal diseases, ascites, intraperitoneal collections or peritoneal metastases.