mesentery

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: mes=en=ter=y

CIDE DICTIONARY

mesentery, n. [Gr. mesente`rion, me`sos + 'e`nteron intestine: cf. F. mésentère.].

•  The membranes, or one of the membranes (consisting of a fold of the peritoneum and inclosed tissues), which connect the intestines and their appendages with the dorsal wall of the abdominal cavity. The mesentery proper is connected with the jejunum and ilium, the other mesenteries being called mesocæcum, mesocolon, mesorectum, etc.  [1913 Webster]
•  One of the vertical muscular radiating partitions which divide the body cavity of Anthozoa into chambers.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

mesentery, n. (pl. -ies) a double layer of peritoneum attaching the stomach, small intestine, pancreas, spleen, and other abdominal organs to the posterior wall of the abdomen.

Derivative

mesenteric adj. mesenteritis n.

Etymology

med.L mesenterium f. Gk mesenterion (as MESO-, enteron intestine)