retroperitoneal
Behind abdominal cavity
Retroperitoneal describes a position behind the peritoneum—the membrane lining the abdominal cavity.
Organs like the kidneys, pancreas, and portions of the intestines are retroperitoneal, meaning they sit against the back body wall rather than suspended within the peritoneal sac: The tumor was located in the retroperitoneal space.
The term appears almost exclusively in medical contexts.
Blood-filtering organ pair
- uretersKidney drainage ducts
- adrenal glandsHormone organs above kidneys
- pancreasDual-function abdominal gland
- duodenumInitial small intestine
ascending colon · descending colon · inferior vena cava · lymph nodes
Blood collected outside vessels
- fibrosisPathological connective tissue buildup
- abscessLocalized pus collection
- sarcomaConnective tissue cancer
- lymphomaCancer from immune cells
metastasis · inflammation · hemorrhage · infection · cystic · mass · tumor · malignancy
Connective tissue sheet
- lumbar vertebraeBones of lower back
- sacrumFused vertebrae above tailbone
- connective tissueSupportive biological matrix
Abdominal cavity access cut
- resectionSurgical tissue removal
- dissectionAnatomical cutting and examination
- nephrectomySurgical kidney extraction
- adrenalectomyExcision of suprarenal glands
debulking · drainage · approach · exposure · mobilization · hemostasis · oncologic · postoperative
Kidney's filtration unit
- calycesOutermost floral whorls
- hilumSeed's umbilical mark
- renal arteryVessel supplying kidney blood
- filtrationSeparating solids from liquids
glomerulus · tubules · urinary · electrolytes · homeostasis · capsule · cortex · medulla
X-ray-based internal imaging
- magnetic resonance imagingScan using powerful magnets
- ultrasoundInaudible high-frequency waves
- contrast enhancementIncreasing tonal separation
- cross-sectionalCut through perpendicularly
radiology · angiography · biopsy · staging · radiologist · scan · visualization
Adrenal steroid regulating stress
- aldosteroneAdrenal hormone controlling electrolytes
- epinephrineAdrenal stress hormone
- norepinephrineAlertness and stress hormone
- catecholaminesTyrosine-derived neurotransmitter class
glucocorticoids · androgens · corticosteroids · adrenaline · endocrine · hyperplasia · adrenocorticotropic · fight-or-flight
kidneys
Blood-filtering organ pair
- uretersKidney drainage ducts
- adrenal glandsHormone organs above kidneys
- pancreasDual-function abdominal gland
duodenum · ascending colon · descending colon · inferior vena cava · lymph nodes
hematoma
Blood collected outside vessels
- fibrosisPathological connective tissue buildup
- abscessLocalized pus collection
- sarcomaConnective tissue cancer
lymphoma · metastasis · inflammation · hemorrhage · infection · cystic · mass · tumor · malignancy
fascia
Connective tissue sheet
- lumbar vertebraeBones of lower back
- sacrumFused vertebrae above tailbone
- connective tissueSupportive biological matrix
laparotomy
Abdominal cavity access cut
- resectionSurgical tissue removal
- dissectionAnatomical cutting and examination
- nephrectomySurgical kidney extraction
adrenalectomy · debulking · drainage · approach · exposure · mobilization · hemostasis · oncologic · postoperative · minimally invasive
nephron
Kidney's filtration unit
- calycesOutermost floral whorls
- hilumSeed's umbilical mark
- renal arteryVessel supplying kidney blood
filtration · glomerulus · tubules · urinary · electrolytes · homeostasis · capsule · cortex · medulla · nephrology
computed tomography
X-ray-based internal imaging
- magnetic resonance imagingScan using powerful magnets
- ultrasoundInaudible high-frequency waves
- contrast enhancementIncreasing tonal separation
cross-sectional · radiology · angiography · biopsy · staging · radiologist · scan · visualization
cortisol
Adrenal steroid regulating stress
- aldosteroneAdrenal hormone controlling electrolytes
- epinephrineAdrenal stress hormone
- norepinephrineAlertness and stress hormone
catecholamines · glucocorticoids · androgens · corticosteroids · adrenaline · endocrine · hyperplasia · adrenocorticotropic · fight-or-flight · stress hormones