5.2: Abdominal Cavity

Abdo cavity bigger than sight first suggests: high under ribs, and back into buttocks (remember a perforating buttock wound can easily involve the abdomen).

Transpyloric Plane

Bisects body between jugular notch & symphysis pubis.

-           ie midway between xiphisternum & umbilicus. 

Cuts costal margin at tip of 9th costal cartilage = lateral border of rectus (semilunar line)

Plane passes through the pylorus, and pancreas just above attachment of transverse mesocolon. 

Supracolic compartment (liver, spleen, fundus of stomach) lies above; infracolic (small intestine & colon) below. 

At this level:

Lower border of L1 vertebra.

SMA leaves aorta

Splenic vein runs behind pancreas; join by superior mesenteric vein

Spinal cord ends as conus medullaris.

Renal hila.

GB fundus (behind R 9th CC)