mesentery

noun

mes·​en·​tery ˈme-zᵊn-ˌter-ē How to pronounce mesentery (audio)
-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
mesenteric
ˌme-zᵊn-ˈter-ik How to pronounce mesentery (audio)
-sᵊn-
adjective

Examples of mesentery in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Following a complete necropsy, those at the aquarium found that Chappy's intestines were wrapped around his mesentery, contributing to his digestive issues while cutting off blood supply to much of his gastrointestinal tract. — Rachel Raposas, People.com, 4 Mar. 2025 However, researchers have debated whether our body contained a single mesentery or mesenteries. — Carl Engelking, Discover Magazine, 27 Dec. 2019

Word History

Etymology

Middle English mesenterie, from Medieval Latin mesenterion, from Greek, from mes- + enteron intestine — more at inter-

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of mesentery was in the 15th century

Rhymes for mesentery

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Browse Nearby Words

mesenteron
mesentery
mesepimeron
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mesentery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mesentery. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

mesentery

noun
mes·​en·​tery ˈmez-ᵊn-ˌter-ē How to pronounce mesentery (audio)
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 How to pronounce mesentery (audio) ˈmes- How to pronounce mesentery (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on mesentery

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mesentery

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