Scientists have discovered a new organ in human body, called “Mesentery” which was previously considered as group of different structures, but it is now cleared that the mesentery is continuous organ. Mesentery is found inside the digestive tract. It acts as an organ which transports blood and lymphatic fluid between intestine and rest of the body. This organ is associated with small and large bowel and it attaches the intestine to the wall of abdomen and locks everything in place.
Mesentery was described as fold of tissues that attach the intestines to the wall of abdomen. It is surprising that the existence of this organ was discovered very long back by Leonardo da Vinci, however it was just accepted as fold of tissues then. But it is now accepted to be an organ. Generally, there are 74 organs now its 79 organs including mesentery. The heart, brain, liver, lungs and kidneys are the vital organs, but there are another 74 organs which keeps us healthy.
Researcher J Calvin Coffey, who made the discovery, writes about Mesentery as “The anatomic description that had been laid down over 100 years of anatomy was incorrect. This organ is far from fragmented and complex. It is simply one continuous structure.”
The Mesentery arises from the mesenteric root and a part of this organ is connected to the front of vertebral column. The root extends from duodenojejunal flexure to ileocaecal junction. Its connection with the posterior abdominal wall, its root, measures about 15cms and extends on a slope from duodenojejunal flexure on the left of the second lumbar vertebra to the right lower quadrant anterior to the upper part of the right sacroiliac joint.
The root is a bare area continuous with the left anterior pararenal space superiorly, and the right anterior pararenal space inferiorly. In its course, it passes from left to right, successively in front of the horizontal part of the duodenum, the abdominal aorta, the inferior vena cava, the right ureter and the right psoas muscle. It suspends 20 -25 feet of small bowel.
The intestinal border of the mesentery is characteristically thrown into a number of pleats or frills. The mesentery consists of two layers of peritoneum between which lie the jejunal and ileal branches of the superior mesenteric arteries and their accompanying veins, nerves and lymphatics.
As this organ had been a mystery, the functions of this organ are also seemed to be unknown. Many researches are going regarding this organ and its function by many medical students and medical experts. And they have come with the understanding of the organ stating that it has the potential to treat abdominal and digestive diseases.
Also Coffey has said that, “Now we have established anatomy and the structure. The next step is the function. If you understand the function you can identify abnormal function, and then you have disease. Put them all together and you have the field of mesenteric science … the basis for a whole new area of science,”
This explains that we have numerous mysterious to be revealed and learnt.