Regions of the abdomen
Learning objectives
After completing this study unit you will be able to:
- List the regions of the abdomen divided by the 4-region scheme.
- Name the regions of the abdomen divided by the 9- region scheme.
- Identify the main contents of the 9 regions of the abdomen.
Watch videos
The abdomen is the lower part of the anterior trunk, located right below the thorax. It is divided into several regions that allow for precise communication about the location of anatomical structures within it, as well as any pathologies. There are two ways to categorize the abdomen. The first divides the regions into four quadrants, while the second, more common way, divides it into nine regions. Learn about these regions and their contents in the video below.
Take a quiz
After watching the video be sure to test your knowledge about the regions of the abdomen and see how well you retained!
To challenge yourself further, make your own custom quiz and pick the topics you want to be quizzed on.
Browse atlas
:watermark(/images/watermark_5000_10percent.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/overview_image/2949/Y4vfCP5XHSHKrOZHqpeOKg_1_black_model_regional-anatomy-of-thorax-and-abdomen_english.jpg){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/abdomen-2/C6tOyFQWZ6TnnAuAAjfibg_Abdomen.png "Abdomen; Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/anterior-median-line-2/aEjBlA7CdkRirsirZ9Gg_underwear-anterior-median-line.png "Anterior median line (Linea mediana anterior); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/transumbilical-plane-1/x0ybWlaaMTm2G34ihW09KQ_underwear-transumbilical-plane.png "Transumbilical plane (Planum transumbilicale); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/left-upper-quadrant-2/WYaIXPXrby95bArSreb9Eg_underwear-Left-upper-quadrant.png "Left upper quadrant (Quadrans superior sinister); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/right-upper-quadrant-2/qRmZfADrwzZ0L67W9mkpg_underwear-Right-upper-quadrant.png "Right upper quadrant (Quadrans superior dexter); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/left-lower-quadrant-2/swOsk68m3Es786HIGQA4qg_Left-lower-quadrant.png "Left lower quadrant (Quadrans inferior sinister); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/right-lower-quadrant-2/BnDGnBVzHHiLbNv5PzCVgQ_Right-lower-quadrant.png "Right lower quadrant (Quadrans inferior dexter); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/midclavicular-line-2/85sx2TN3xhBMamAD9JmSZw_underwear-midclavicular-line.png "Midclavicular line (Linea medioclavicularis); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/subcostal-plane-1/CX6gyx4dO5gNqfAOzNZvBA_underwear-subcostal-plane.png "Subcostal plane (Planum subcostale); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/intertubercular-plane/T2vVmDI30CiOJ6axhfATuw_underwear-intertuberular-plane.png "Intertubercular plane (Planum intertuberculare); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/epigastric-region-4/bm3pwP7wARuh8OWwNmnKg_underwear-Epigastric-region.png "Epigastric region (Regio epigastrica); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/hypochondriac-region-2/KL4uJOIWfbJW38zqAyTw_underwear-Hypochondriac-region.png "Hypochondriac region (Regio hypochondriaca); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/lumbar-region-2/mE4uOKSeF4K2jhQ5plZkg_underwear-Lateral-region-of-abdomen.png "Lateral region of abdomen (Regio lateralis abdominis); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/umbilical-region-3/oqoJ2oDRDRfnAucOFzxj8w_underwear-Umbillical-region.png "Umbilical region (Regio umbilicalis); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/inguinal-region-2/76wyVrcAJ2YNPTLU3CdFQ_Inguinal-region.png "Inguinal region (Regio inguinalis); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/hypogastric-region-1/Eo8ezDQCE5zQHNSHcMZSDg_Hypogastric-region.png "Hypogastric region (Regio hypogastrica); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
Summary
| Four-quadrant scheme | Right upper quadrant, left upper quadrant, right lower quadrant, left lower quadrant |
| Nine-region scheme | Right/left hypochondriac regions, epigastric region, umbilical region, right/left lateral regions, hypogastric region, right and left inguinal regions |
| Contents |
Left hypochondriac region: left kidney, spleen, tail of pancreas; parts of stomach, left lobe of liver, small intestines, transverse colon, descending colon Right hypochondriac region: right lobe of liver, gallbladder, right colic flexure, upper half of right kidney and part of duodenum Epigastric region: abdominal part of esophagus, pylorus of stomach, spleen, pancreas, right and left suprarenal glands; parts of duodenum, liver, right and left kidneys, ureters Umbilical region: part of stomach, pancreas, lower part of duodenum, part of jejunum and ileum, cisterna chyli, transverse colon, part of kidneys, ureters Left lateral region: lower part of left kidney, descending colon, parts of jejunum and ileum Right lateral region: part of right lobe of liver, gallbladder, ascending colon, lower part of right kidney, parts of duodenum Hypogastric region: ileum, sigmoid colon, rectum, ureters, urinary bladder Right inguinal region: part of large intestine (vermiform appendix, cecum, beginning of ascending colon), right ovary/uterine tube (female) Left inguinal region: part of large intestine (end of descending colon, sigmoid colon), left ovary/uterine tube (female) |
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