We think we know everything about our bodies. But if I told you that there is something inside your stomach that was not well understood until recently, and is now considered a brand new organ, wouldn't you be surprised? That amazing part is called the 'mesentery'. At first, it was thought that this was just a tissue. But now doctors and scientists are looking at it in much more depth. Let's talk about this simply today.
Simply put, what is this mesentery?
Think of the mesentery as a fold of tissue inside your abdomen. To be precise, it connects your intestines to the back wall of your abdomen (belly) and keeps them in one place. It also connects to other organs like your liver, spleen, and pancreas. It's where the blood vessels, lymph vessels, and nerves that supply those organs pass.
While it was once considered just a connective tissue, doctors now see it as something more. Some now classify it as a full-fledged organ . This is because it is a continuous structure and serves a clear function of connecting, supporting, and nourishing several organs in our digestive system.
What service does the mesentery provide to our body?
Research is still being done on this, but based on current findings, these things happen in the mesentery.
- Organs are organized: This keeps our intestines in one place. Otherwise, they can move around inside the stomach and get tangled up, causing big problems. Some scientists believe that this mesentery design also helps humans walk upright.
- Helps in organ development and function: The amazing thing is that during the development of a fetus, this mesentery is formed before the other digestive organs even form. Organs like the liver and spleen develop inside it. Those organs remain attached to it throughout life.
- Helps organs communicate: The mesentery is a common passageway for blood vessels, nerves, and lymph nodes, allowing organs to communicate with each other. For example, the lymph nodes here trap germs. The mesentery also produces a substance called C-reactive protein (CRP), which helps control swelling and inflammation in the body.
Where is this located? What is it made of?
The mesentery begins at the back of our abdomen, near a major blood vessel called the superior mesenteric artery. From there, it spirals around our intestines. In a fully grown adult, the mesentery is said to be about 6 feet long .
It is made up mainly of fatty tissue . It also contains connective tissue, blood vessels, lymphatic tissue, and nerves. It is surrounded by a protective layer called the mesothelium. It is also attached to the abdominal wall by another layer of tissue called Toldt's fascia.
Can the mesentery be divided into parts?
The mesentery is actually a single organ, but it branches out into different parts that connect to other organs. In the past, doctors thought these were separate parts. But now we know that they are all parts of the same mesentery.
This new discovery has even changed the way surgery is performed.
| Part of the mesentery (previously considered separately) | The part of the intestine that is involved |
|---|---|
| Small-intestinal mesentery | Small intestine |
| Right mesocolon | Right side of the large intestine (Right colon) |
| Transverse mesocolon | Transverse colon |
| Left mesocolon | Left side of the large intestine (Left colon) |
| Mesosigmoid | Sigmoid colon |
| Mesorectum | Upper part of the rectum (Rectum) |
Understanding that all of these parts are parts of the same mesentery was a major turning point, especially for doctors who perform abdominal surgery.
What diseases and health problems affect the mesentery?
Because the mesentery is such an important area, there are several diseases that can affect it.
Visceral Fat and Related Diseases
Most of the fat in our stomach is stored in this mesentery. This is called visceral fat . If this fat increases too much, it is very dangerous. It greatly increases the risk of the following diseases.
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure (Hypertension)
- Obesity
- Coronary artery disease
- Metabolic syndrome
- Stroke
Other diseases and conditions
In addition to increased belly fat, there are other diseases that directly affect the mesentery.
| Medical condition | Simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Crohn's disease | A chronic inflammatory condition that occurs in the intestines. Some research suggests that this disease may begin in the mesentery. |
| Cancer | Cancerous tumors can form within the mesentery itself, or cancer from a nearby organ can spread here. |
| Infections | Germs can hide in the lymph nodes here and cause disease again later. |
| Sclerosing mesenteritis | This is a long-term inflammatory condition that can cause scarring and obstruct blood flow. |
| Mesenteric panniculitis | An inflammation of the fatty layer. Usually milder than the previous condition. |
| Hernias | Protrusion of mesenteric tissue through weak points in the abdominal wall. |
| Volvulus | Twisting of the intestines and mesentery. This is a very dangerous, emergency situation. |
So, how do you keep this mesentery healthy?
The best thing to do is to control that visceral fat we talked about. Too much of it is the root of many chronic diseases. There are several things you can do to reduce this fat.
- Limit processed foods, sugar, trans fats, salt, and alcohol. Eat as much home-cooked, natural foods as possible.
- Exercise for at least 150 minutes a week. Even something like walking, running, or cycling is fine.
- Get at least 8 hours of good sleep a night. Sleep is the time when the body repairs itself.
- Manage stress. When stress increases, our body produces a hormone called cortisol. This hormone directly affects the accumulation of belly fat.
You might think that it doesn't matter whether the "mesentery" is an organ or a tissue. But for doctors and researchers, the word is very important. This new look at the mesentery is completely changing the way we study, diagnose, and treat diseases of the digestive system.
The good news for you is that every new discovery like this helps us understand how these structures hidden inside our bodies affect our health and how we can protect them.
Take-Home Message
- The mesentery, once thought to be just a tissue, is now considered a complete organ that is continuous in length.
- Its main function is to keep the intestines in one place without getting tangled and to supply them with blood and nerves.
- Visceral fat, which is stored in our abdomen, is mostly stored in the mesentery. It causes many diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
- The best way to keep the mesentery healthy is to adopt a healthy diet, exercise regularly, get good sleep, and manage stress.
- If you have any concerns about your health, especially digestive issues, always talk to your doctor .
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