Areas of the Abdomen

Overview

The abdomen contains several defined anatomical regions that guide understanding of organ relationships, surgical planes and patterns of disease. This section introduces the core spaces and triangles that shape abdominal anatomy and clinical assessment.

Key Structures

Topics include the abdominal cavity, peritoneum, inguinal canal, Calot’s triangle and Hesselbach’s triangle. Each page outlines boundaries, contents and the significance of these regions in surgical and anatomical practice.

Clinical Relevance and Learning Focus

Knowledge of abdominal areas supports interpretation of hernias, gallbladder pathology, peritoneal spread of infection and operative approaches. These regions provide essential landmarks for examination, imaging and surgery.

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Illustration of Calot's triangle showing its borders and major contents, including the cystic artery.

Calot’s Triangle

Diagram illustrating the borders of the inguinal triangle (Hesselbach's Triangle).

The Inguinal (Hesselbach’s) Triangle

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The Peritoneal (Abdominal) Cavity

Illustration of intraperitoneal and retroperitoneal organs for anatomical reference.

The Peritoneum

Diagram illustrating the anatomical location of the inguinal canal, highlighting its position lateral to the inferior epigastric artery.

The Inguinal Canal

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Diagram illustrating the external and internal intercostals muscles of the thoracic wall.
Encyclopaedia

Internal Intercostals

by Dr Oliver Jones

Palmar view of the labeled thenar muscles of the thumb, including the abductor pollicis brevis, opponens pollicis, and flexor pollicis brevis, along with the recurrent branch of the median nerve.
Encyclopaedia

Abductor Pollicis Brevis

by Dr Oliver Jones

Illustration of the muscles of the anterior leg, including the anterior tibial artery.
Encyclopaedia

Extensor Digitorum Longus

by Roxanne Salkeld