The Clinical Significance of the Greater Omentum

The greater omentum has several important functions:

1) It includes a network of blood vessels and lymphatic vessels that enable a rapid response to tackle foci of infection and inflammation. This function led the surgeon Rutherford Morison (1853-1939) to call the greater omentum the ‘policeman of the abdomen. Areas of infection can be isolated and further spread prevented.

2) Varying quantities of fat can be deposited. In man this can be excessive.

3) The greater omentum is a convenient insulating layer serving to avoid heat loss from the intestines.

4) The greater omentum can be wrapped around wounds surgically as a protective ‘bandage.

3.3