Answer :
Final answer:
Tenderness from peritoneal inflammation is more severe than that from visceral inflammation, often requiring emergency surgery and antibiotics. Peritonitis can be life-threatening, with advances in medical treatment reducing but not eliminating high mortality rates. It is a critical condition that affects the peritoneal membrane lining the abdominal organs.
Explanation:
Tenderness associated with peritoneal inflammation is generally more severe than visceral inflammation. This is due to the different natures of the peritoneum and the visceral organs.
The peritoneum is a serous membrane that lines the abdominal cavity (parietal peritoneum) and envelops the abdominal organs (visceral peritoneum). The visceral peritoneum includes blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and nerves that supply the adjacent organs. Whereas the peritoneal cavity contains a few milliliters of watery fluid that acts as a lubricant.
When there is a breach in the wall of the alimentary canal, allowing contents to enter the peritoneal cavity, this can lead to chemical peritonitis.
Severe forms of peritonitis can arise due to bacterial infections as seen with conditions like appendicitis, colonic diverticulitis, and pelvic inflammatory disease. This condition can be life-threatening and often requires emergency surgery and intensive antibiotic therapy to treat it effectively.
Over the years, advances in surgical techniques, anesthesia safety, critical care expertise, and antibiotics have greatly improved survival rates, though mortality still remains high at 30 to 40 percent.
