mesocolon: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Rare / TechnicalFormal, Technical, Medical/Surgical
Quick answer
What does “mesocolon” mean?
The part of the peritoneum (abdominal membrane) that attaches the colon to the posterior abdominal wall.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The part of the peritoneum (abdominal membrane) that attaches the colon to the posterior abdominal wall.
Specifically, the double layer of peritoneum that suspends a segment of the large intestine (colon) and contains its associated blood vessels, nerves, and lymphatics. Different segments have specific names: transverse mesocolon, sigmoid mesocolon.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or semantic differences; standard anatomical terminology is universal in medicine.
Connotations
Exclusively medical/anatomical, with no cultural connotations.
Frequency
Equally rare and confined to medical contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “mesocolon” in a Sentence
the [adj] mesocolon (e.g., the transverse mesocolon)in the mesocolonof the mesocolonVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used exclusively in medical/anatomy textbooks, lectures, and research papers.
Everyday
Never used.
Technical
Routinely used in surgical reports, anatomical descriptions, and medical imaging.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mesocolon”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mesocolon”
- Pronouncing the 's' as /z/ only in the middle (correctly /s/ or /z/ depending on dialect, but initial is /mɛs/).
- Using it as a synonym for 'colon'.
- Thinking it refers to a disease condition rather than an anatomical structure.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a highly specialised anatomical term used almost exclusively in medical and surgical contexts.
It would be highly unusual and likely confusing, as there is no everyday equivalent or need for this specific term outside of professional medicine.
The mesentery is the broad term for the double-layered peritoneal fold that suspends most of the small intestine. The mesocolon is specifically the mesentery associated with the colon (large intestine).
Yes, based on the segment of colon it supports: transverse mesocolon, sigmoid mesocolon, and sometimes mesoappendix (for the appendix). The ascending and descending colon are often retroperitoneal and lack a distinct mesocolon.
The part of the peritoneum (abdominal membrane) that attaches the colon to the posterior abdominal wall.
Mesocolon is usually formal, technical, medical/surgical in register.
Mesocolon: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmɛsə(ʊ)ˈkəʊlɒn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmɛzoʊˈkoʊlɑːn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the colon (intestine) needing a supporting 'meso' (middle) sling to hold it up. MESO-COLON: the middle attachment for the colon.
Conceptual Metaphor
A 'tether', 'suspension', or 'supportive hammock' for the colon within the abdomen.
Practice
Quiz
What is the mesocolon?