the double layer of peritoneum that is attached to the back wall of the abdominal cavity and supports most of the small intestine
Derived forms
mesenteric (ˌmesenˈteric) or mesenterial (ˌmesenˈterial)
adjective
Word origin
C16: from New Latin mesenterium; see meso- + enteron
mesentery in American English
(ˈmɛsənˌtɛri; ˈmɛzənˌtɛri)
nounWord forms: pluralˈmesenˌteries
a supporting membrane or membranes enfolding some internal organ and attaching it either to the body wall or to another organ; esp., a doublethickness of the peritoneum enfolding most of the small intestine and attaching it to the spinal wall of the abdominal cavity
Derived forms
mesenteric (ˌmesenˈteric)
adjective
Word origin
ML mesenterium < Gr mesenterion < mesos, mid1 + enteron, intestine: see inter-
Examples of 'mesentery' in a sentence
mesentery
Starting at the mesentery, she cut away excess tissue and muscle attachments so that she could pull out the organs.