Right inframesocolic space

Last revised by Craig Hacking on 8 Apr 2020

The right inframesocolic space is a component of the inframesocolic space bounded by the transverse colon anterosuperiorly, the mesentery of the ascending colon on the right, the root of the small bowel mesentery on the left and the apex lying inferiorly at the ileocecal junction. It is smaller than the left inframesocolic space.

Upon examination of the floor of the right inframesocolic space, the lower pole of the right kidney can be felt on the right side. Just to the left of this, the descending part of the duodenum (D2) turns transversely into the transverse part of the duodenum (D3).

It is important to note that fluid tracking down from the right inframesocolic space into the pelvis must pass forwards over the lower ileum. This is compared to the left inframesocolic space where there is a free passage to the pelvis.