Embryology, anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology of the peritoneum and the peritoneal vasculature

•The peritoneum is an extensive serous membrane with both epithelial and mesenchymal features, essential for maintaining an intra-abdominal homeostatic equilibrium.•The peritoneum covers the abdominal walls and all intra-abdominal structures, with exception of the bare area of the liver. Comprehension of the anatomy of the peritoneum and its reflections is essential for surgeons performing intra-abdominal surgery.•The peritoneum and the peritoneal vasculature play a central role in many intra-abdominal conditions such as peritoneal adhesions, the production of ascites and peritoneal carcinomatosis.•The peritoneal microcirculation is located in submesothelial stroma and is characterized by a relatively low vessel density, but this may alter under pathological conditions.•Understanding of the interaction between cancer cells, the peritoneum and the peritoneal vasculature is crucial for the development of new treatment strategies for peritoneal carcinomatosis.