MEDYMOLOGY
ARBOR VITAE FOR HEALTH SCIENCES
Omentum
Etymology:
Obscure origin. Some suggest that it originates from L. operimentum: "a lid or cover", from which "omentum" becomes a contraction
Definition:
Either of two folds of the peritoneum—the greater and lesser omentum—that support and cover the viscera. The greater omentum (also the great omentum, omentum majus, gastrocolic omentum, epiploon, or, especially in animals, caul) is a large apron-like fold of visceral peritoneum that hangs down from the stomach. It extends from the greater curvature of the stomach, passing in front of the small intestines and doubles back to ascend to the transverse colon before reaching to the posterior abdominal wall. The greater omentum is larger than the lesser omentum, which hangs down from the liver to the lesser curvature of the stomach.