# peritoneum

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˌpɛ.ɹɪ.təˈniː.əm/ · frequency rank #81,693

## Definitions
1. In mammals, the serous membrane lining the cavity of the abdomen and that is folded over the viscera.
2. In animals, the membrane lining the coelom cavity.

## Etymology
From Latin peritonaeum, from Ancient Greek περιτόναιον (peritónaion), from περιτόναιος (peritónaios, “stretched or strained over”).

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/peritoneum