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Glite Dictionary
greater omentum

greater omentum

7.9
A large fold of tissue that hangs from the stomach and covers the intestines
  • noun
  • /ˈɡreɪtər ˈoʊmɛntəm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : omento mayor
  • The greater omentum helps to protect the intestines from injury.

Examples

  • Surgery on the abdomen may involve cutting through the greater omentum.

  • Greater omentum.

    Punchline (1988)

  • The greater omentum is attached to the bottom edge of the stomach and hangs down in front of the intestines.

    Blog text (33)

  • The greater omentum is known for its role in fat storage and immune response.

Synonyms

omentum
vsgreater omentum
  • Specialized
1 9.5

A fold of soft fatty tissue that hangs from the stomach over organs in the belly

is larger and hangs down to cover the intestines specifically
caul
vsgreater omentum
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A thin, soft layer inside the belly that covers the intestines

is a thick, large fold that hangs down rather than a thin membrane

Surface Forms

greater omentum singular
greater omenta plural

Morphology

greater + omentum

The phrase is compositionally transparent: 'greater' simply marks the larger/superior form of an 'omentum' (a peritoneal fold). Although anatomical and somewhat technical, the overall meaning — the large peritoneal fold hanging from the stomach — is directly predictable from the two constituents.

Etymology

The name greater omentum comes from the image of a large sheet of tissue that hangs down from the stomach like a 'apron' and covers the intestines. The word omentum refers to this 'apron' and greater shows it is the larger one, so the name describes the big protective layer that sits over the organs.