Abdominal surface anatomy can be described when viewed from in front of the abdomen in 2 ways:
divided into 9 regions by two vertical and two horizontal imaginary planes
divided into 4 quadrants by single vertical and horizontal imaginary planes
These regions and quadrants are of clinical importance when examining and describing pathologies related to the abdomen
Nine abdominal regions
Horizontal planes
The dividing planes are based on lines drawn between easily palpable bony points. The horizontal planes are also of importance as they provide useful landmarks on cross-sectional imaging. The two horizontal lines are:
subcostal plane
corresponds to a line drawn joining the lower most bony point of the rib cage, usually 10th costal cartilage
body of the L3 vertebra; the origin of the inferior mesenteric artery and 3rd part of the duodenum lie on this plane
transtubercular plane
corresponds to a line uniting the two tubercles of the iliac crests
upper border of the L5 vertebra and the confluence of the common iliac veins (i.e. IVC origin) lie on this plane
Vertical planes
The two vertical planes are similar on each side and follow a line joining the mid clavicular point to the mid inguinal point. It passes just lateral to the tip of the ninth costal cartilage, which is palpable as a distinct step along the costal margin. It roughly corresponds to the lateral border of the rectus abdominis muscle.
Surface anatomy
The above lines intersect and divide the abdomen into nine regions (clockwise from the top):
epigastric region (epigastrium)
left hypochondrium (LHC)
left lumbar region (left flank)
left iliac fossa (LIF)
suprapubic (hypogastric) region
right iliac fossa (RIF)
right lumbar region (right flank)
right hypochondrium (RHC)
and in the center, the umbilical region
Four abdominal quadrants
Horizontal plane
The dividing plane is a horizontal line drawn through the umbilicus.
Vertical plane
The vertical line is down the midline of the body, overlying the linea alba from the xiphoid to the pubic symphysis.
Surface anatomy
The above lines intersect and divide the abdomen into four quadrants (clockwise from the top):
right upper quadrant fossa (RUQ)
right lower quadrant fossa (RLQ)
left lower quadrant fossa (LLQ)
left upper quadrant fossa (LUQ)
Quiz questions
References
Related Radiopaedia articles
Anatomy: Abdominopelvic
skeleton of the abdomen and pelvis[+]
muscles of the abdomen and pelvis
diaphragm[+]
anterior abdominal wall
Scarpa's fascia
muscles[+]
surface anatomy
posterior abdominal wall[+]
pelvic floor[+]
spaces of the abdomen and pelvis[+]
abdominal and pelvic viscera[+]
blood supply of the abdomen and pelvis[+]
lymphatics[+]
innervation of the abdomen and pelvis[+]
divided into 9 regions by two vertical and two horizontal imaginary planes
divided into 4 quadrants by single vertical and horizontal imaginary planes
These regions and quadrants are of clinical importance when examining and describing pathologies related to the abdomen
Nine abdominal regions
Horizontal planes
The dividing planes are based on lines drawn between easily palpable bony points. The horizontal planes are also of importance as they provide useful landmarks on cross-sectional imaging. The two horizontal lines are:
subcostal plane
corresponds to a line drawn joining the lower most bony point of the rib cage, usually 10th costal cartilage
body of the L3 vertebra; the origin of the inferior mesenteric artery and 3rd part of the duodenum lie on this plane
transtubercular plane
corresponds to a line uniting the two tubercles of the iliac crests
upper border of the L5 vertebra and the confluence of the common iliac veins (i.e. IVC origin) lie on this plane
Vertical planes
The two vertical planes are similar on each side and follow a line joining the mid clavicular point to the mid inguinal point. It passes just lateral to the tip of the ninth costal cartilage, which is palpable as a distinct step along the costal margin. It roughly corresponds to the lateral border of the rectus abdominis muscle.
Surface anatomy
The above lines intersect and divide the abdomen into nine regions (clockwise from the top):
epigastric region (epigastrium)
left hypochondrium (LHC)
left lumbar region (left flank)
left iliac fossa (LIF)
suprapubic (hypogastric) region
right iliac fossa (RIF)
right lumbar region (right flank)
right hypochondrium (RHC)
and in the center, the umbilical region
Four abdominal quadrants
Horizontal plane
The dividing plane is a horizontal line drawn through the umbilicus.
Vertical plane
The vertical line is down the midline of the body, overlying the linea alba from the xiphoid to the pubic symphysis.
Surface anatomy
The above lines intersect and divide the abdomen into four quadrants (clockwise from the top):
right upper quadrant fossa (RUQ)
right lower quadrant fossa (RLQ)
left lower quadrant fossa (LLQ)
left upper quadrant fossa (LUQ)
Quiz questions
References
Related Radiopaedia articles
Anatomy: Abdominopelvic
skeleton of the abdomen and pelvis[+]
muscles of the abdomen and pelvis
diaphragm[+]
anterior abdominal wall
Scarpa's fascia
muscles[+]
surface anatomy
posterior abdominal wall[+]
pelvic floor[+]
spaces of the abdomen and pelvis[+]
abdominal and pelvic viscera[+]
blood supply of the abdomen and pelvis[+]
lymphatics[+]
innervation of the abdomen and pelvis[+]
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