In this work the quantitative data of the surfaces that limit the sub-spaces that constitute the peritoneal space are shown. The methodology of measurement of the two sheets (parietal and visceral) of the peritoneal serosa applied in our previous paper (Albanese et al., 2009), in non-eviscerated corpses, allowed us to know for the first time, the surface or total extension of the peritoneum "in situ". This methodology was useful to determine the surface or area of the two sheets of the peritoneum, which limit the peritoneal space. Our objective in this study was to determine the total peritoneal areas (visceral + parietal) in human corpses that are not eviscerated, which limit the different sub-spaces that make up the peritoneal space. Ten female cadavers fixed in 5 % formaldehyde solution were used. Small cellophane films were placed directly on the peritoneal sheets. The digital images were obtained by scanning these models. The surface was determined by the "Scion image for Windows" program. The results were expressed as mean +/- SE. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for the statistical study. The results obtained showed that the peritoneal sub-space of greater surface area was retro-omental (mean +/- SE 7767.81 +/- 646.70 cm2 p <0.01 ANOVA), due to the large extension of its visceral surface ( mean +/- SE 7401.82 +/- 640.99 cm2). More than 50 % of the surface of the entire peritoneum corresponds to said sub-space. The smallest peritoneal sub-space (3 % of the total peritoneal surface) was the pelvic sub-space (mean +/- SE 431.30 +/- 41.62 cm2). We believe that this information may be useful in case of peritoneal pathological processes or those affected by prolonged peritoneal dialysis, and that knowledge of the surface and extension of the peritoneal space involved may contribute to the estimation of the peritoneal surface involved and help to plan the treatment.
KEY WORDS: Peritoneal space; Peritoneum; Morphometry; Human anatomy.
