ABSTRACT
The abdominal cavity extends upward, inferior to the diaphragm, under the lower ribs and costal margin. It extends inferiorly into the pelvis, and the iliac bones (covered by iliacus and psoas) form the lower aspect of the posterior abdominal wall. The important bony landmarks are: tip of the ninth costal cartilage, particularly the right; anterior superior iliac spine; pubic tubercle; pubic crest; pubic symphysis. The nine regions described during clinical examination of the abdomen are: left and right hypochondrium (A); epigastrium (B); left and right loin (lumbar) (C): umbilical (D); left and right iliac fossa (inguinal) (E); and suprapubic (F).
