Abdominal Anatomy
The abdomen is a unqiue area of the body which consists of no bones, only muscles and organs. On this page, we will talk about the muscles of the abdominal quadrant.
There are four main muscles in the abdomen:
Rectus abdominis- The ‘six pack abs’ are formed by the multiple superficial bellies of this muscle.
O: Pubic crest, pubic symphysis
I: Cartilage fifth, sixth and seventh rib and xiphiod process
N: T5, 6, T7-11, T12, ventral rami
External Obliques- These muscles are lateral to the rectus abdominis.
O: External surfaces of fifth to twelfth ribs
I: Anterior part of the iliac crest, abdominal aponeurosis to linea alba
N: T5, T6, T7-11, T12
Internal Obliques- Deep and perpendicular to the external obliques.
O: Lateral inguinal ligament, illiac crest, and thoracolumbar fascia
I: Internal surface of lower three ribs, abdominal aponeurosis to linea alba
N: T7, T8, T9-12, L1, iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal, ventral rami
Transverse Abdominis- The deepest of the abdominal muscles, helps with exhalation.
O: Lateral inguinal ligament, iliac crest, thoracolumbar fascia and internal surface of lower six ribs
I: Abdominal aponeurosis to linea alba
N: T7-T12, L1, iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal, ventral division.
(Biel, 2010)
From: http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/picture-of-the-abdomen
There are four main quadrants in the abdominal cavity that house many internal organs. They are as follows:
Right Upper Quadrant:
-
Liver
-
Gallbladder
-
Duodenum
-
Pancreas
-
Right Kidney
Left Upper Quadrant:
-
Stomach
-
Spleen
-
Left Kidney
-
Pancreas
Right Lower Quadrant:
-
Appendix
-
Right Ovary & Tube (in women)
From: http://cnx.org/contents/14fb4ad7-39a1-4eee-ab6e-3ef2482e3e22@7.1:8/Anatomy_&_Physiology
Left Lower Quadrant:
-
Sigmoid Colon
-
Left Ovary & Tube (in women)
(Magee, 2008)
For more information on the internal organs of the abdominal region, visit this page
