

SURFACE MARKINGS OF THE ABDOMEN 



1321 



lumbar vertebra. The hilum is 5 cm. from the middle line at the level of the 

 spinous process of the first lumbar vertebra. 



Ureters. On the front of the abdomen, the line of the ureter runs from the 

 hilum of the kidney to the pubic tubercle; on the back, from the hilum vertically 

 downward, passing practically 

 through the posterior superior iliac 

 spine (Fig. 1226). 



Vessels (Fig. 1227). The inferior 

 epigastric artery can be marked out 

 by a line from a point midway be- 

 tween the anterior superior iliac 

 spine and the pubic symphysis to 

 the umbilicus. This line also indi- 

 cates the lateral boundary of Hessel- 

 bach's triangle an area of impor- 

 tance in connection with inguinal 

 hernia; the other boundaries are the 

 lateral edge of Rectus abdominis, 

 and the medial half of the inguinal 

 ligament. The line of the abdominal 

 aorta begins in the middle line about 



4 Cm. above the tranSpyloriC line FIG. 1226. Back of lumbar region, showing surface markings 



! j , j. n T-l f r kidneys, ureters, and spleen. The lower portions of the lung 



and extends tO a point 2 Cm. below and pleura are shown on the right side. 



and to the left of the umbilicus 



or more accurately to a point 2 cm. to the left of the middle line on a line which 



passes through the highest points of the iliac crests (A A', Fig. 1227). The 



/ / 



Abdominal inguinal ring 



Subcutaneous inguinal ring 



/ 



Femoral ring 

 FIG. 1227. Front of abdomen, showing surface markings for arteries and inguinal canal. 



point of termination of the abdominal aorta corresponds to the level of the fourth 

 lumbar vertebra; a line drawn from it to a point midway between the anterior 

 superior iliac spine and the symphysis pubis indicates the common and external 





