The mesentery: an ADME perspective on a 'new' organ.

With the inclusion of mesentery, the total number of human organs has recently increased by one. The mesentery was formerly construed to be a complex, discontinuous anatomical structure simply serving as a support for organs in abdominal cavity. However, recent research has established the mesentery to be a far more simple and unfragmented organ. Newly emerging information on the mesentery has challenged some older pathophysiological concepts. This review briefly discusses the anatomy of the mesentery, historical perspective on the mesentery, embryology, drug metabolizing enzymes and transporters of the mesentery, and the mesentery's role in diseases. The possible impact of the mesentery on absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) is also discussed.