or chiefly Brit  peri*to*nae*um  n, pl  -ne*ums  or chiefly Brit  -nae*ums  or  -nea  or chiefly Brit  -naea   :  the smooth transparent serous membrane that lines the cavity of the abdomen of a mammal, is folded inward over the abdominal and pelvic viscera, and consists of an outer layer closely adherent to the walls of the abdomen and an inner layer that folds to invest the viscera - see PARIETAL PERITONEUM VISCERAL PERITONEUM  - compare MESENTERY1   .
 
 
 
Similar sounding terms:  peritonaeum 
 
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