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Peritoneum

The peritoneum lines the abdominal cavity, supporting the organs in the abdomen and helping to protect them from infection. The inside surface of the peritoneum produces fluid (peritoneal fluid) that allows the organs in the abdomen to slide against the peritoneum and each other.

By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Ross Berkowitz, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology
Last Revised June 15, 2009

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: June 15, 2009
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