Abdominal wall surface anatomy
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Abdominal regions
The abdomen can either be divided into 4 quadrants using the midline and a horizontal line through the umbilicus or a 9 region scheme can be used. The 9 region scheme is favoured by the college and covered in further detail. | |
The 9 region abdominal anatomical scheme uses the vertical midclavicular lines and horizontal transpyloric and transtubercular planes to divide the abdomen into 9 regions
Planes of the abdomen
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The planes of the abdomen with the transpyloric plane highlighted
Important abdominal planes and their vertebral levels
- Transplyloric plane: L1
- Transtubercular plane: L5
Transpyloric plane
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The transpyloric plane is a horizontal plane located halfway between the suprasternal notch of the manubrium and the upper border of the symphysis pubis. The plane can be considered to lie at the following levels/surface markings:
- L1 vertebraI level
- 1 hands width beneath the xiphisternum
- Midway between the xiphisternum and the umbilicus
- medial ends of 9th costal cartilages
The transpyloric plane passes through the following abdominal structures:
- L1 vertebrae
- Fundus of gallbladder
- Spinal cord termination
- Neck of pancreas
- Origin of superior mesenteric artery from the abdominal aorta and termination of the superior mesenteric vein at the hepatic portal vein
- Colic flexure
- Kidney hila
- Root of the transverse mesocolon
- 1st part of the duodenum
- Spleen
- Pylorus of the stomach
- Cisterna chyli