The instructor asks a group of nursing students to explain the function of the omentum. the students will respond based on which pathophysiologic principle? a. it holds organs in place. b. it has lots of mobility and moves around in the peritoneal cavity with peristaltic movements. c. it attaches the jejunum and ileum to the abdominal wall. d. it is mainly there to prevent any noxious substance from inner into the gut.

The correct answer is d. it is mainly there to prevent any noxious substance from inner into the gut.

An omentum is a layer of the peritoneum (the serous membrane that lines abdominal cavity) that surrounds abdominal organs. It is known that omentum plays a role in immune responses. Omentum contains the clusters of white blood cells (lymphocytes), called “milky spots” which have the first-line defence role in the immune system. When a noxious substance is present, the "milky spots" induce the release of inflammatory molecules.