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EXTENSIONS OF THE SEROSA
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In vertebrates, extensions of the serosa layer of the GI tract help to support the digestive
organs. In humans, these consist
of the greater omentum, lesser omentum,
falciform ligament, mesentery, and mesocolon. In some
primitive coelomates (Phoronida),
mesenteries support the intestine. (Hickman, p. 288). In
hagfish extensions of the peritoneum exist which surround and support
the organs of the abdominopelvic cavity (Romer, p. 318-9). By
the appearance of gnathostome fish, these extensions
of the peritoneum are identifiable as the greater and lesser omenta (from the greater and lesser curvatures of the stomach),
the falciform ligament (attaching the liver
dorsally), the mesentery (to small intestine), and the mesocolon
(to the large intestine). As the
small intestine became more coiled in tetrapods,
so did the mesentery
(Romer, p. 318-9). In
higher tetrapods, the greater omentum
may store adipose. |
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HAGFISH |
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LAMPREY |
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SHARK |
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GAR |
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BOWFIN![]() |
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PERCH |
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SALAMANDER |
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FROG |
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TURTLE |
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ALLIGATOR |
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