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Glite Dictionary
mesocolon

mesocolon

9.9
A fold of tissue that connects the lower part of the colon to the back wall of the belly
  • noun
  • /ˈmɛsəˌkoʊlən/
  • Specialized
: mesocolon
  • The mesocolon supports the colon in the abdominal cavity.

Examples

  • The surgeon carefully separated the mesocolon from the surrounding tissue during the operation.

  • Inflammation of the mesocolon can cause severe abdominal pain.

  • Anatomical diagrams often highlight the mesocolon to show its connection to the colon and abdominal wall.

  • Surgeons often examine the mesocolon during abdominal surgeries.

  • Anatomical diagrams often highlight the mesocolon to show its connection to the colon and abdominal wall.

  • Inflammation of the mesocolon can cause severe abdominal pain.

  • The surgeon carefully separated the mesocolon from the surrounding tissue during the operation.

Surface Forms

mesocolon singular
mesocolons plural

Morphology

mesocolon = colon (semi-transparent) = meso + colon

The combining form 'meso-' indicates a relation to the middle/mesentery and combined with 'colon' signals an anatomical relation, but the specific sense ('a peritoneal fold attaching the colon') is specialized medical knowledge not obvious to general learners.

Etymology

Mesocolon comes from the Greek parts meso- meaning 'middle' and colon meaning 'the large intestine'. So a mesocolon is a fold of tissue that sits at the 'middle' of the colon and helps hold it to the back of the belly.