Peritonitis is defined as inflammation of which tissue?

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Peritonitis is inflammation of the peritoneum, the serous membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and covers most abdominal organs. Irritation of this lining leads to the severe abdominal pain, tenderness, and rigidity characteristic of the condition. The other options refer to different tissues: the stomach lining is a mucous membrane, inflammation of the liver is hepatitis, and inflammation of the pancreas is pancreatitis—none of which are the abdominal serous membrane.