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The kidneys and pancreas are called retroperitoneal organs because they:

  1. are located behind the abdominal cavity.

  2. are protected by the anterior rib cage.

  3. grow in front of the abdominal cavity.

  4. live deep inside the pelvic cavity.

The correct answer is: are located behind the abdominal cavity.

The correct answer is A. The kidneys and pancreas are considered retroperitoneal organs because they are located behind the abdominal cavity. Retroperitoneal organs are positioned outside the peritoneum, the membrane that lines the abdominal cavity. This anatomical location protects these organs and helps define their relationships to surrounding structures. This characteristic distinguishes them from intraperitoneal organs, which are positioned inside the peritoneum and have a different arrangement of blood vessels, nerves, and other structures. Options B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not accurately describe the specific location of retroperitoneal organs like the kidneys and pancreas.