Peritoneal cavity

The peritoneal cavity is the potential fluid-filled space situated between the parietal peritoneum (lining the abdominal wall) and the visceral peritoneum (covering abdominal organs). It contains a small amount of lubricating serous fluid that allows visceral organs to move smoothly against each other during digestion and other motions. The cavity supports and protects abdominopelvic organs, houses immune cells, and plays a role in fluid and immune homeostasis. It is not a molecule or receptor, but rather an anatomical compartment important in several clinical procedures and disease processes such as ascites, peritonitis, peritoneal dialysis, and as a route for intraperitoneal chemotherapy injection[1][2][5][6].