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Regions of the abdomen

Learning objectives

After completing this study unit you will be able to:

  1. List the regions of the abdomen divided by the 4-region scheme.
  2. Name the regions of the abdomen divided by the 9- region scheme.
  3. Identify the main contents of the 9 regions of the abdomen.

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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.

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Summary

Key points about the regions of the abdomen
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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