MESENTERY

A fold of tissue which attaches organs to the body wall. Unqualified, usually refers to the small bowel mesentery which anchors the small intestines to the back of the abdominal wall. Blood vessels, nerves, and lymphatics branch through the mesentery to supply the intestine. Other mesenteries exist to support the sigmoid colon, appendix, transverse colon, and portions of the ascending and descending colon.