greater peritoneal sac

8.0

The main space inside the belly around the stomach and intestines

noun
/ˈɡreɪtər ˌpɛrəˈtoʊniəl sæk/

Specialized

: saco peritoneal mayor

The greater peritoneal sac communicates with the lesser sac through the omental foramen.

Examples

Surgeons must be careful to avoid damaging structures within the greater peritoneal sac during abdominal procedures.
Inflammation in the greater peritoneal sac can cause pain throughout the abdomen.
The greater peritoneal sac is crucial for abdominal organ movement.
Can you explain the function of the greater peritoneal sac?
Surgeons must be careful to avoid damaging structures within the greater peritoneal sac during abdominal procedures.
Inflammation in the greater peritoneal sac can cause pain throughout the abdomen.
The greater peritoneal sac communicates with the lesser sac through the omental foramen.

Synonyms

peritoneal cavity

vsgreater peritoneal sac

Specialized

1 8.6

A space inside the belly between thin tissue layers holding a small amount of fluid

is the main abdominal cavity separated from the smaller sac

Surface Forms

greater peritoneal sac singular

greater peritoneal sacs plural

Morphology

greater + peritoneal + sac

The phrase is compositionally built: 'greater' = larger, 'peritoneal' = relating to the peritoneum (abdominal membrane), and 'sac' = a cavity or pouch, so the meaning of a larger peritoneal cavity is directly derivable from the parts. This follows standard anatomical naming conventions (and similar constructions exist cross-linguistically), so a learner who knows the constituent words can understand the term.

Etymology

Greater peritoneal sac comes from a simple image: peritoneal refers to the thin lining that wraps the belly, sac means a pouch, and greater shows it is the larger pouch. So the name helps you remember it is the 'main cavity' — the large pouch in the belly that holds most organs and sits apart from the smaller sac.