摘要：

The peritoneal cavity, which lodges the abdominal viscera, represents the largest serosal cavity in the body. Functionally it may be regarded as a large continuous interstitial space. It is lined by a thin, translucent membrane, the peritoneum, which covers the inner surface of the abdominal wall (parietal peritoneum) and the majority of visceral organs (visceral peritoneum) and which forms omenta. The lining structure of the peritoneal cavity is usually denoted the 'peritoneal membrane'. Because of its relatively large surface area (1-2 m2 in adults) [1], its high dregree of capillarization and relatively high blood flow, it can be rather effectively utilized as an endogenous dialysis membrane to remove uremic toxins and water from the body fluids of patients with end-stage renal disease during peritoneal dialysis (PD). The peritoneal cavity is also suitable as a portal entry for various drugs and hormones administered intraperitoneally (i.p.). In peritonitis (during PD), for example, antibiotics can be given i.p. for systemic use, because of the high transport capacity of the peritoneal membrane.

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