Final answer:
The phrase refers to organs in the retroperitoneal cavity which can be obscured by bowel gas on imaging tests due to their location outside the peritoneal cavity, between the parietal peritoneum and abdominal wall.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement about an organ being located in the retroperitoneal cavity and being obscured by bowel gas could be referring to several organs, such as the kidneys, pancreas, or parts of the intestine. Organs that are located in the retroperitoneal space are outside the peritoneal cavity, positioned between the parietal peritoneum and the abdominal wall. This location can indeed make them harder to view on imaging tests like X-rays or ultrasounds because bowel gas can obscure them. The peritoneum is a membrane that lines the abdominal wall (parietal peritoneum) and covers the abdominal organs (visceral peritoneum). The peritoneal cavity is the space between these two layers, which contains a small amount of lubricating fluid to allow organ movement.