Where is your omentum

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Related Articles. How Ovarian Cancer Is Diagnosed. Uterine Cancer Stages and Symptoms. Treatments for Ovarian Cancer. What Is Metastatic Colon Cancer? What Is Peritoneal Cancer? An Overview of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors. What Are the Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer? When this happens, the cells begin to live and grow in the organ. For this reason, partial omentectomies are commonly performed when removing tumors in the abdomen, as well as during some gastric bypass surgeries. And, in obese patients, this kind of surgery can help by cutting down on dangerous intra-abdominal fat.

Patients function normally after having part of their omentum cut away, placing it in the same category as the appendix or the gall bladder — interesting, but non-essential. The study authors, however, would like the medical community to reassess their conceptions of this overlooked, and at time maligned, organ. Register or Log In. The Magazine Shop. Login Register Stay Curious Subscribe. Credit: Wikimedia Commons. Newsletter Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news.

Humans develop milky spots in their omentum during early development, before bacteria even appears, indicating its role as a primary immune organ. Unfortunately, even protective organs make mistakes. It is a breeding ground for aggressive tumors such as in ovarian and gastrointestinal cancer. Scientists hope to target these sites of tumor growth with therapies that can control abdominal tumors and assist anti-tumor immunity.

Materials provided by Cell Press. Note: Content may be edited for style and length. Science News. Story Source: Materials provided by Cell Press. Immunological Functions of the Omentum. Trends in Immunology , ; DOI: