The whole abdomen refers to the large body cavity in the front part of the torso between the thorax (chest) and pelvis. It is enclosed by abdominal muscles anteriorly and laterally, and by part of the vertebral column posteriorly. The abdominal cavity contains vital organs primarily involved in the digestive, urinary, endocrine, circulatory, and reproductive systems.
Anatomically, the abdomen is divided into nine regions using two sagittal and two transverse planes, centered on the umbilicus, or into four quadrants for clinical orientation. The regions contain specific organs, for example:
- Right hypochondrium: liver, gallbladder
- Epigastrium: stomach, liver, pancreas, duodenum, adrenal glands
- Left hypochondrium: spleen, colon, pancreas
- Right lumbar region: ascending colon, right kidney
- Umbilical region: small intestine
- Left lumbar region: descending colon, left kidney
- Right iliac fossa: appendix, cecum
- Hypogastric region: urinary bladder, sigmoid colon, female reproductive organs
- Left iliac fossa: descending colon, sigmoid colon
The abdominal wall has nine layers from skin to peritoneum, including muscles such as the external and internal obliques and transversus abdominis. The peritoneum lines the cavity and covers the organs.
The abdominal contents include the stomach, intestines (duodenum, jejunum, ileum, colon), liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, kidneys, adrenal glands, and parts of the reproductive and urinary systems. The posterior abdominal wall (retroperitoneum) contains kidneys, parts of the pancreas, duodenum, and large vessels like the aorta and inferior vena cava. The diaphragm separates the abdomen from the thorax above.
Whole abdomen imaging techniques such as ultrasound and contrast-enhanced CT scans provide comprehensive views of these organs for diagnostic purposes, detecting abnormalities like tumors, cysts, inflammation, and other diseases.
In summary, the whole abdomen is a complex, anatomically and functionally rich body region housing many vital organs essential for multiple physiological systems and clinical assessments.
If you want information on a specific aspect or imaging modality related to the whole abdomen, please let me know.
