Beyond Abdominal Cavity: Peritoneal and Retroperitoneal Anatomy as It Relates to Disease Spread—Part 1

Abstract

The peritoneal cavity is commonly affected by disease processes such as bowel perforation, infections, malignancy, and trauma. Recognizing the anatomy of the peritoneal and retroperitoneal regions is essential for identifying diseases and formulating differential diagnoses during radiological interpretation. Understanding how diseases can spread through the abdomen and pelvis is crucial for an accurate interpretation of radiological findings. Radiologists must be familiar with the peritoneal and retroperitoneal anatomy to avoid potential diagnostic misinterpretations. This article aims to discuss the anatomic principles of peritoneal ligaments and spaces, retroperitoneal spaces and planes, review the basic embryological development of the peritoneum, describe the mechanism by which diseases spread through the abdomen and pelvis, and provide key diagnostic findings.