Certified Neuroscience Registered Nurse (CNRN) Practice Exam

What structure is located off of the posterior peritoneal wall and contains arteries, veins, nerves, and lymphatics?

1. Peritoneum

2. Mesentery

3. Omentum

4. Abdominal wall

The correct answer is: Mesentery

The correct answer is the mesentery, as it consists of a fold of peritoneum that attaches the intestine to the posterior abdominal wall. The mesentery plays a crucial role in the anatomy of the abdomen, serving as a conduit for blood vessels, lymphatics, and nerves that supply the intestines. It contains the major arteries and veins that provide oxygen and nutrients as well as the lymphatic structures that help with immune responses and the absorption of fats. The other structures listed, though related to the abdominal cavity, do not serve the same comprehensive function as the mesentery. The peritoneum is a continuous serous membrane lining the abdominal cavity and covering the abdominal organs but does not itself contain the major vascular and neural structures found in the mesentery. The omentum, while also involved in the vascular supply to the abdomen, primarily functions as a protective layer over the abdominal organs and does not extensively contain the same amount of lymphatic and vascular tissue as the mesentery. The abdominal wall refers to the outer structure of the abdomen, which includes muscles and fascia but is not specifically involved with the vascular and neural contents associated with the abdominal organs. Thus, the mesentery's unique composition and location make it the correct