Description

Dividing the Abdominal Region

This video covers how the abdominal region is divided using anatomical planes and regions.

Holotopy:

The relation between an organ and the body as a whole.

Horizontal Lines:

• Upper Horizontal Plane: Subcostal Plane
• Lower Horizontal Plane: Interspinal Plane
• Distance between the ribs: Distantia Costarum
• Divided into:
  • Upper Level
  • Middle Level
  • Lower Level

Vertical Lines:

• Along the Rectus Abdominis Muscle
• From the Pubic Tubercle (Tuberculum Pubicum)
• Extends approximately to the middle point of the clavicle

9-Region Scheme:

• Upper Level:
  • Epigastric Region
  • Right Hypochondriac Region
  • Left Hypochondriac Region
• Middle Level:
  • Umbilical Region
  • Right Lateral (Lumbar) Region
  • Left Lateral (Lumbar) Region
• Lower Level:
  • Pubic (Hypogastric) Region
  • Right Inguinal Region
  • Left Inguinal Region

4-Quadrant Scheme:

The abdomen can also be divided into four quadrants:

• Right Upper Quadrant (RUQ)
• Left Upper Quadrant (LUQ)
• Right Lower Quadrant (RLQ)
• Left Lower Quadrant (LLQ)

Why Divide the Abdomen?

• • Used in clinical practice to locate pain and pathology.
  • Helps in understanding the placement of abdominal organs.

• Essential for surgical and diagnostic procedures.

Sources:

• Memorix Anatomy, 2nd Edition by Hudák Radovan, Kachlík David, and Volný Ondřej
• Biorender
• University Notes and Lectures

Transcript

Introduction
0:03
What’s up, Meditay here, and in this video, we’ll be going through the procedure on how
0:08
we divide the abdomen into 9 distinct regions. Because as you’re studying the organs of the
0:13
abdominal cavity, you’ll most probably see the word Holotopy, which means the relationship
0:18
between the organs and the body as a whole, and by describing the holotopy of an organ, you’ll
0:23
be stating at which region the organ Is located. So, Let’s start by dividing the abdominal region
Horizontal Lines
0:29
using two horizontal lines first. We call these the Upper horizontal plane, and the
0:34
lower horizontal plane. The upper horizontal plane is at the lowest point of the costal arch and is
0:40
therefore also called the subcostal place. While the lower horizontal plane is between the Spina
0:46
Iliaca ant. Superior, so the lower horizontal place is sometimes called the interspinal plane.
0:53
This will divide the abdomen into three levels using this arch
0:56
Right here that the lower edges of the rib cartilage form, that’s the distance between
1:00
the ribs – called distantia costarum. Now We get an upper level, above this arch,
1:06
We get a middle level under the costal arch, until the
1:09
Interspinous place, and then under the interspinous plane, you’ll find the lower level.
Vertical Lines
1:15
And now, we need to add the vertical lines. And we add them using the rectus
1:20
Abdominis muscle, as you see here. And the way we add the vertical lines is along this muscle,
1:25
along the Musculus rectus abdominis. It starts Down here at pubic tubercule
1:30
Then it goes along the rectus abdominis and then reaches approximately at the
1:34
middle point of the clavicula up here. So now we get nine distinct regions, right?
Nine Regions
1:40
At the upper level, we get the epigastric region and the Right and Left hypochondriac region on
1:45
either side beneath the cartilage. And then on the middle level, we get
1:48
the umbilical region in the middle, since the umbilicus, or the navel, is here in the middle.
1:53
And then, laterally, we have the right and left lateral region.
1:57
And then, at the lower region, we got the pubic region and the right and left inguinal
2:02
region or sometimes also referred to as the right and left Iliac region.
2:07
This is what we call the 9 region scheme. Now as you’re studying the abdomen,
2:11
you might find some sources using the 4 quadrant scheme. But now, why is it
2:16
important to divide the abdomen into regions? The human abdomen is divided into quadrants and
2:22
regions by anatomists and physicians for the purposes of study, diagnosis, and treatment.
2:28
Imagine, if there are any pain and tenderness. Any scars, lumps, and other items of interest.
2:34
The division allows you to localize and narrow in on which organs and tissues may be involved,
2:40
which could help you form differential diagnoses. So here I’ve added a list of all the organs
Organs Within the Nine Regions
2:46
you’ll find within these 9 regions. And with that being said. Let’s
2:50
go through the detailed anatomy of all organs in the abdominal cavity!