Cooper
Senior Member
Wikipedia puts it 'in the abdominal cavity', fwiw: "retroperitoneal space
The retroperitoneal space (retroperitoneum) is the anatomical space (sometimes a potential space) in the abdominal cavity behind (retro) the peritoneum. It has no specific delineating anatomical structures. Organs are retroperitoneal if they have peritoneum on their anterior side only."
( Looking into these tems, I feel as though I'm 'not in Kansas anymore, Toto..'. Thoroughly confused and amazed - haven't heard of any of these terms before, except the organs and circulatory systems involved here! Fascinating, in a very "oh, yikes!" kind of way. Especially for Rob, from the sound of it.)
ETA: meant to put in the link. Not sure Wikipedia is the ideal place to get this info, but sounds as though they're directly quoting sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retroperitoneal_space
Thanks for the post, Racquette. It clears up questions for me. I had been thinking the retroperitoneal area was not part of the abdomen. Apparently not.