Left Colic Gutter

The right and left paracolic gutters are peritoneal recesses on the posterior abdominal wall lying alongside the ascending and descending colon.

Left colic gutter.

The left lateral paracolic gutter. The right and left paracolic gutters are peritoneal recesses on the posterior abdominal wall lying alongside the ascending and descending colon. Flow occurs preferentially through the right rather than left paracolic gutters owing to the broader diameter of the right gutter. A less obvious medial paracolic gutter may be formed especially on the right side if the colon possesses a short mesentery for part of its length.

The transverse mesocolon divides the abdomen into supra and inframeso colic spaces. The left gutter runs between the descending colon and the abdominal wall and just like the right gutter empties into the lower abdomen and pelvic area. In addition flow in the left paracolic gutter is cut off from reaching the left subphrenic space by the phrenicocolic ligament. The main paracolic gutter lies lateral to the colon on each side.

A less obvious medial paracolic gutter may be formed especially on the right side if the colon possesses a short mesentery for part of its length. Medical definition of paracolic gutter. Similar to its right counterpart the paracolic gutter originates from the left hepatic flexure or the meet point of the transverse and descending colon and runs downward to empty into the pelvic region or abdominal wall. Either of two grooves formed by the peritoneum and lying respectively lateral to the ascending and descending colons.

The main paracolic gutter lies lateral to the colon on each side.