Comprehensive reviews of the interfascial plane of the retroperitoneum: normal anatomy and pathologic entities

Emerg Radiol. 2010 Jan;17(1):3-11. doi: 10.1007/s10140-009-0809-7. Epub 2009 Apr 28.

Abstract

The retroperitoneum is conventionally divided into three distinct compartments: posterior pararenal space, anterior pararenal space, and perirenal space, bounded by the posterior parietal peritoneum, transversalis fascia, and perirenal fascia. But more recent work has demonstrated that the perirenal fascia is not made up of distinct unilaminated fascia, but a single multilaminated structure with potential space. These potential spaces are represented by retromesenteric plane, retrorenal plane, lateral conal plane, and combined fascial plane. The purpose of this review was to demonstrate embryogenesis, anatomy of interfascial plane, and spreading pathways of various pathologic entities with computed tomography imaging.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Fascia / anatomy & histology*
  • Fascia / diagnostic imaging
  • Fascia / embryology
  • Fascia / pathology
  • Humans
  • Retroperitoneal Space / anatomy & histology*
  • Retroperitoneal Space / diagnostic imaging
  • Retroperitoneal Space / embryology
  • Retroperitoneal Space / pathology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed*