mesentery
noun
mes·en·tery
ˈme-zᵊn-ˌter-ē 
-sᵊn-
plural mesenteries
1
a
: one or more vertebrate membranes that consist of a double fold of the peritoneum and invest the intestines and their appendages and connect them with the dorsal wall of the abdominal cavity
b
: a fold of membrane comparable to a mesentery and supporting a viscus (such as the heart) that is not a part of the digestive tract
2
: a support or partition in an invertebrate like the vertebrate mesentery
Examples of mesentery in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
However, researchers have debated whether our body contained a single mesentery or mesenteries.
—
Carl Engelking, Discover Magazine, 27 Dec. 2019
The mesentery ensures that the intestines do not just fall in a random heap on the floor of the abdomen.
—Monique Brouillette, Popular Mechanics, 19 Jan. 2023
In 2012, Coffey’s team determined the mesentery was indeed a single, connected structure.
—Nathaniel Scharping, Discover Magazine, 3 Jan. 2017
As became apparent during the whole mesentery craze, there’s no real definition for what an organ actually is.
—Nathaniel Scharping, Discover Magazine, 28 Mar. 2018
Spiegel says an extra stretchy mesentery could disrupt the structure of the gut.
—Monique Brouillette, Popular Mechanics, 19 Jan. 2023
Ditto for the mesentery and the latest assemblage of cells to bear the dubious honorific.
—Nathaniel Scharping, Discover Magazine, 28 Mar. 2018
That’s because of its proximity to the mesentery — a layer of tissue that affixes the intestines to the abdominal wall.
—Lauren Caruba, San Antonio Express-News, 30 Apr. 2021
Just last year, there was another similar structural substance found to surround the digestive tract known as the mesentery.
—Claire Maldarelli, Popular Science, 2 Apr. 2018
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Carl Engelking, Discover Magazine, 27 Dec. 2019
The mesentery ensures that the intestines do not just fall in a random heap on the floor of the abdomen.
—Monique Brouillette, Popular Mechanics, 19 Jan. 2023
In 2012, Coffey’s team determined the mesentery was indeed a single, connected structure.
—Nathaniel Scharping, Discover Magazine, 3 Jan. 2017
As became apparent during the whole mesentery craze, there’s no real definition for what an organ actually is.
—Nathaniel Scharping, Discover Magazine, 28 Mar. 2018
Spiegel says an extra stretchy mesentery could disrupt the structure of the gut.
—Monique Brouillette, Popular Mechanics, 19 Jan. 2023
Ditto for the mesentery and the latest assemblage of cells to bear the dubious honorific.
—Nathaniel Scharping, Discover Magazine, 28 Mar. 2018
That’s because of its proximity to the mesentery — a layer of tissue that affixes the intestines to the abdominal wall.
—Lauren Caruba, San Antonio Express-News, 30 Apr. 2021
Just last year, there was another similar structural substance found to surround the digestive tract known as the mesentery.
—Claire Maldarelli, Popular Science, 2 Apr. 2018
Dictionary Entries Near mesentery
Cite this Entry
“Mesentery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mesentery. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
mesentery
noun
mes·en·tery
ˈmez-ᵊn-ˌter-ē
ˈmes-
plural mesenteries
: membranous tissue or one of the membranes that enclose the organs (as the intestines) making up the guts and connect them to the wall of the abdominal cavity
Medical Definition
mesentery
noun
mes·en·tery
ˈmez-ᵊn-ˌter-ē
ˈmes-
ˈmes-
plural mesenteries
1
: one or more vertebrate membranes that consist of a double fold of the peritoneum and invest the intestines and their appendages and connect them with the dorsal wall of the abdominal cavity
specifically
: such membranes connected with the jejunum and ileum in humans
2
: a fold of membrane comparable to a mesentery and supporting a viscus (as the heart) that is not a part of the digestive tract
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share