What is paracolic gutter?

The paracolic gutters (paracolic sulci, paracolic recesses) are spaces between the colon and the abdominal wall. These gutters are clinically important because they allow a passage for infectious fluids from different compartments of the abdomen.

How many Paracolic gutters are there?

two paracolic gutters
There are two paracolic gutters: The right lateral paracolic gutter. The left medial paracolic gutter.

What causes fluid in the paracolic gutter?

In a supine position gravity causes fluid in the upper abdomen to flow from the left upper quadrant and right paracolic gutter into the right upper quadrant. In an upright position, gravity causes this same fluid to flow into the pelvis.

What does Extraperitoneal mean?

Medical Definition of extraperitoneal : located or taking place outside the peritoneal cavity extraperitoneal drainage extraperitoneal injury.

Where is left paracolic gutter?

The left paracolic gutter is a component of the left inframesocolic space partially separated from the left subphrenic spaces by the phrenicocolic ligament. It is smaller than the right paracolic gutter. Both paracolic spaces are in continuity with the pelvic peritoneal spaces.

What is paracolic abscess?

We explain why the proper term is the word “paracolic.” The definition “pericolic abscess” is an established term in the English medical literature (both British and American) with the intent to describe an abscess that is situated at the side of the large bowel.

What is the left paracolic gutter?

Where is the right paracolic gutter?

The right paracolic gutter is a relatively wide space between the ascending colon and the lateral abdominal wall. It is in continuity with the right subphrenic space and continues cranially lateral to the liver to the right hemidiaphragm.

What is Paracolic abscess?

Is extraperitoneal same as retroperitoneal?

Extraperitoneal is the generic concept that comprises the more commonly used terms for the specific locations: retroperitoneal (posterior to the peritonal cavity), subperitoneal (inferior to the peritonal cavity) and preperitoneal (anterior to the peritonal cavity).

What is the difference between intraperitoneal and extraperitoneal?

The key difference between the intraperitoneal and the retroperitoneal organs is the location of the organs. Intraperitoneal organs are situated in the intraperitoneal space and lined by the peritoneum, whereas retroperitoneal organs are situated behind the intraperitoneal space and not lined by the peritoneum.