abdominal regions

abdominal regions,

the nine topographic subdivisions of the abdomen, determined by four imaginary lines imposed over the anterior surface in a tic-tac-toe pattern. The upper horizontal line passes along the level of the cartilages of the ninth rib, the lower along the iliac crests. The two vertical lines extend on each side of the body from the cartilage of the eighth rib to the center of the inguinal ligament. The lines divide the abdomen into three upper, three middle, and three lower zones: right hypochondriac, epigastric, and left hypochondriac regions (upper zones); right lateral (lumbar), umbilical, and left lateral (lumbar) regions (middle zones); right inguinal (iliac), pubic (hypogastric), and left inguinal (iliac) regions (lower zones).

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abdominal

pertaining to, affecting or originating in the abdomen. See also abdominal paracentesis, abdominal sounds.

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abdominal binding

a wide bandage applied to the abdomen to raise intra-abdominal pressure. Its primary purposes are (1) to limit the displacement of the diaphragm during thoracic compression of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, thereby raising intrathoracic pressures achieved and improving forward blood flow, and (2) to maintain blood volume in the central circulation during hemorrhagic shock.

abdominal breathing

an abnormal form of respiratory movement in which the thorax is fixed and the inspiratory and expiratory movement of the lungs are carried out by the diaphragm and the abdominal muscles so that there are exaggerated movements of the abdominal wall.

abdominal cavity

the body cavity between the diaphragm and the pelvis; contains the abdominal organs.

abdominal enlargement

may result from fluid effusions (transudate, exudate or blood), enlargement of viscera (neoplasia, dilatation, engorgement or physiological phenomena, e.g. pregnancy), intra-abdominal masses or fat. Weakness of the abdominal wall usually results in a pendulous rather than enlarged abdomen.

abdominal lavage

see abdominal lavage.

abdominal muscle ischemia

an unexplained ischemic necrosis of the internal oblique muscle of ewes in late pregnancy which are carrying twins or triplets. Results in ventral hernia but often with little apparent effect on the ease of lambing.

abdominal muscles

the paired muscles of the flank and belly that surround and support the abdominal viscera.

abdominal pad

see abdominal pad.

abdominal pain

may arise from an abdominal organ, the peritoneum or be referred as from spinal nerves.

abdominal regions

arbitrary, descriptive subdivisions of the abdomen made up of three groups of three (like a noughts-and-crosses grid), three along the middle—xiphoid, umbilical and pubic, and three lateral pairs—hypochondriac, lateral abdominal and inguinal.

abdominal silhouette

the shape of the abdomen viewed from behind.

abdominal trier

see trier.

abdominal tunic

see tunica flava abdominis.

abdominal viscera

the organs contained within the abdominal cavity; they include the stomach, intestines, liver, spleen, pancreas, and parts of the urinary and reproductive tracts.

abdominal wall

consists of the parietal peritoneum, the deep and superficial layers of fascia, the transverse abdominal, internal and external abdominal oblique muscles, the subcutaneous tissue and the skin. It contains the umbilicus, the cicatrix marking the entry point of the umbilical cord, and is traversed by the inguinal canal, and at its caudal extremity carries the prepubic tendon, the ventral attachment of the wall to the pubic bones.

abdominal wall rigidity

reflex response to pain of peritonitis, accompanied by pain on palpation or percussion.