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The human abdomen (from the Latin word meaning "belly") is the part of the body between the Pelvis and the Thorax . Anatomically, the abdomen stretches from the thorax at the Thoracic Diaphragm to the pelvis at the Pelvic Brim . The '''pelvic brim''' stretches from the Lumbosacral Angle (the Intervertebral Disk between L5 and S1) to the Pubic Symphysis and is the edge of the Pelvic Inlet . The space above this inlet and under the thoracic diaphragm is termed the Abdominal Cavity . The boundary of the abdominal cavity is the abdominal wall in the front and the peritoneal surface at the rear. Functionally, the human abdomen is where most of the Alimentary Tract is placed and so most of the absorption and digestion of food occurs here. The alimentary tract in the abdomen consists of the lower Esophagus , the Stomach , the Duodenum , the Jejunum , Ileum , the Cecum and the Appendix , the Ascending , Transverse and Descending Colon s, the Sigmoid Colon and the Rectum . Other vital organs inside the abdomen include the Liver , the Kidneys , the Pancreas and the Spleen . The Abdominal Wall is split into the posterior (back), lateral (sides) and anterior (front) walls. MUSCLES OF THE ABDOMINAL WALL ABDOMINAL ORGANS The abdomen contains most of the tubelike organs of the digestive tract, as well as several solid organs. Hollow abdominal organs include the Stomach , the Small Intestine , and the Colon with its attached Appendix . Organs such as the Liver , its attached Gallbladder , and the Pancreas function in close association with the digestive tract and communicate with it via ducts. The Spleen , Kidney s, and Adrenal Gland s also lie within the abdomen, along with many blood vessels including the Aorta and Inferior Vena Cava . Anatomists may consider the Urinary Bladder , Uterus , Fallopian Tube s, and Ovaries as either abdominal organs or as pelvic organs. Finally, the abdomen contains an extensive membrane called the Peritoneum . A fold of peritoneum may completely cover certain organs, whereas it may cover only one side of organs that usually lie closer to the abdominal wall. Anatomists call the latter type of organs ''retroperitoneal.'' SURFACE LANDMARKS OF THE ANTERIOR ABDOMEN In the mid-line a slight furrow extends from the ensiform cartilage/ Xiphoid Process above to the Symphysis Pubis below, representing the Linea Alba in the abdominal wall. At about its midpoint sits the umbilicus or navel. On each side of it the broad recti muscles stand out in muscular people. The outline of these muscles is interrupted by three or more transverse depressions indicating the Lineae Transversae . There is usually one about the Ensiform Cartilage , one at the Umbilicus , and one between. It is the combination of the linea alba and the linea transversae which form the abdominal "six-pack" sought after by many people. A body fat of around 10% or below with a bodyweight that is not underweight is required to see them. The upper lateral limit of the abdomen is the subcostal margin formed by the cartilages of the false ribs (8, 9, 10) joining one another. The lower lateral limit is the anterior crest of the Ilium and Poupart's Ligament , which runs from the anterior superior spine of the ilium to the spine of the Pubis . These lower limits are marked by visible grooves. Just above the pubic spines on either side are the external abdominal rings, which are openings in the muscular wall of the abdomen through which the Spermatic Cord emerges in the male, and through which an Inguinal Hernia may rupture. One method by which the location of the abdominal contents can be appreciated is to draw three horizontal and two vertical lines. Horizontal lines
Vertical lines The two vertical or mid-Poupart lines are drawn from the point midway between the anterior superior spine and the pubic symphysis on each side, vertically upward to the costal margin.
The right subcostal margin corresponds to the lower limit of the Liver , while the right nipple is about half an inch above the upper limit of this Viscus . REGIONS OF THE ABDOMEN These three horizontal and two vertical lines divide the abdomen into nine "regions." (Note that "hypo" means "below" and "epi" means "above", while "chond" means "cartilage" (in this case, the cartilage of the rib) and "gast" means stomach. The reversal of "left" and "right" is intentional, because the anatomical designations reflect the position on the patient. ) Another way of dividing the abdomen is by using quadrants: SEE ALSO REFERENCES
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