Abdominal regions refer to specific areas within the abdomen, which is the part of the body located between the chest and pelvis. The abdomen is home to several important organs such as the stomach, liver, intestines, and kidneys. Understanding the different regions within the abdomen is essential for medical practitioners and anatomists to accurately describe the location of specific organs or diagnose certain conditions.
The abdominal regions are typically divided into nine regions, using two imaginary lines intersecting at the navel, forming three horizontal and two vertical lines. The middle horizontal line is called the transumbilical line, and the two corresponding vertical lines are known as the midclavicular lines. These lines help to create the divisions in the abdomen for better anatomical identification.
The abdominal regions include the following:
- Right hypochondriac region: Located on the right side, below the ribs, it houses the liver, gallbladder, and part of the diaphragm.
- Epigastric region: In the middle, just above the navel, it is home to the stomach and part of the liver.
- Left hypochondriac region: Similar to the right side, it is situated below the ribs but on the left. It contains the spleen, part of the diaphragm, and part of the stomach.
- Right lumbar region: Positioned on the right side, it is between the ribs and the pelvis. Structures such as the liver, ascending colon, and right kidney can be found here.
- Umbilical region: Located around the navel, it contains the transverse colon, small intestines, and upper part of the umbilical artery.
- Left lumbar region: Similar to the right lumbar region, but on the left side, it houses the
