Abdominal Regions Clarified
abdominal regions. The abdomen, that vital region nestled between the thorax and the pelvis, houses a multitude of organs, each playing a crucial role in maintaining our well-being. Buckle up as we explore the intricacies of this anatomical wonderland.
## Anatomy of the Abdomen and Pelvis
### Boundaries and Contents
1. Abdomen:
– Boundaries: The anterolateral and posterior abdominal walls, the diaphragm, and the pelvic inlet.
– Contents: Brace yourself for a parade of organs—stomach, small intestine, large intestine, vermiform appendix, pancreas, spleen, liver, gallbladder, kidneys, ureters, and adrenal glands.
– Blood Supply: The celiac trunk, superior mesenteric artery, middle suprarenal arteries, renal arteries, inferior mesenteric artery, inferior phrenic artery, and lumbar arteries. The veins include the inferior vena cava and hepatic portal vein.
– Innervation: The vagus nerve (CN X), prevertebral ganglia, lower thoracic, pelvic, and lumbar splanchnic nerves form intricate plexuses like the myenteric, celiac, superior mesenteric, inferior mesenteric, superior hypogastric, and inferior hypogastric plexuses.
2. Pelvis:
– Boundaries: Picture the pelvic inlet, the pelvic girdle, and the pelvic diaphragm.
– Contents: Here, we encounter the internal genitalia, external genitalia, urinary bladder, urethra, rectum, and anus.
– Blood Supply: The internal iliac arteries, gonadal arteries, median sacral artery, and the superior rectal artery. Veins include the inferior vena cava and hepatic portal vein.
– Innervation: The lumbosacral trunk (L4, L5), lumbar plexus (L1-L4), sacral plexus (L4-S4), and coccygeal plexus (S4-Co), along with lumbar, sacral, and pelvic splanchnic nerves.
### Regional Divisions
To navigate this complex terrain, anatomists have divided the abdomen into four quadrants and nine regions:
1. Quadrants:
– Left Upper Quadrant: Home to the spleen, stomach, and part of the pancreas.
– Left Lower Quadrant: Houses the sigmoid colon and left ovary (in females).
– Right Upper Quadrant: The liver, gallbladder, and part of the pancreas reside here.
– Right Lower Quadrant: Contains the appendix (a tiny troublemaker) and the right ovary (in females).
2. Regions:
– Epigastric Region: Located just above the umbilicus, it hosts the liver, stomach, and pancreas.
– Umbilical Region: Centered around the navel, it accommodates the small intestine.
– Hypogastric Region: Situated below the umbilicus, it houses the bladder and reproductive organs.
– Right and Left Hypochondrium: These flank the epigastric region and harbor the liver (right) and spleen (left).
– Right and Left Lumbar Regions: Flanking the umbilical region, they cradle the kidneys.
– Right and Left Inguinal Regions: Near the groin, they’re home to the large intestine.
– Perineum: The pelvic floor, where magic happens (well, not exactly magic, but you get the idea).
In summary, the abdomen and pelvis are like a bustling city—organs bustling about, nerves weaving intricate pathways, and blood vessels ferrying life. So, next time you feel a pang in your gut, remember this vibrant landscape within you! ??
: [Kenhub: Abdomen and pelvis: structure and function](https://www.kenhub.com/en/library/anatomy/abdomen-and-pelvis)
: [Medmastery: What are the anatomical regions and quadrants of the abdomen?](https://www.medmastery.com/guides/abdominal-examination-clinical-guide/what-are-anatomical-regions-and-quadrants-abdomen)
: [Healthline: Abdomen Anatomy, Area & Diagram](https://www.healthline.com/human-body-maps/abdomen).