ego A MANUAL OF ANATOMY 



corresponding planes, subdivide each of these zones into three 

 regions, two lateral, right and left, and a central. The abdomen 

 proper is thus eventually divided into nine regions, three in each of 

 the three horizontal zones, as follows : the subcostal zone is sub- 

 divided into right hypochondriac, epigastric, and left hypochondriac 

 regions ; the umbilical zone is subdivided into right lumbar, um- 

 bilical, and left lumbar regions; and the hypogastric zone is sub- 

 divided into right iliac, hypogastric, and left iliac regions. 



Superficial View of the Contents. — On taking a superficial view of 

 the contents of the abdomen proper the sharp anterior border of 

 the liver is seen on the right side projecting beyond the right costal 

 margin, and also beyond the ensiform process. The great bulk of 

 the . organ, however, lies concealed in the right hypochondrium, 

 and the extent to which it passes into the left hypochondrium 

 usually corresponds to the left mammary line. In the middle line 

 it projects beyond the ensiform process for about 2 inches, but 

 along the right costal margin it does not usually project more 

 than about ^ inch. The anterior border presents two notches. 

 One, which is well defined, is called the interlobar or umbilical 

 notch. It is situated fully i inch to the right of the middle line, 

 and transmits the obliterated umbilical vein or round ligament. 

 The other, which is situated about 2 inches to the right of the 

 interlobar notch, is usually somewhat indefinite, and is called the 

 cystic notch. It allows the fundus of the gall-bladder to come 

 forward opposite the ninth right costal cartilage at a point coincid- 

 ing with the outer border of the right rectus muscle. The falciform 

 or suspensory ligament is conspicuous as it takes attachment to the 

 supero-anterior surface of the liver, which it divides into two lobes, 

 right and left. 



On the left side a portion of the stomach is visible, though a 

 large part of the viscus lies deeply in the left hjqjochondrium. 

 The portion which is seen in the epigastrium is partially covered 

 by the left lobe of the liver, but a part of it is in contact with the 

 anterior abdominal wall, provided the viscus is not empty. 

 Descending from the great curvature of the stomach there is an 

 extensive fold of peritoneum, which hangs down in the form of a 

 curtain, and so conceals the jejunum and ileum. This fold is called 

 the great or gastro-colic omentum. In normal circumstances it 

 descends as low as the level of the sacral promontory upon the left 

 side, but it stops a little short of that level on the right side. The 

 condition of the great omentum is subject to much variety. In some 

 bodies it is very narrow, and much puckered in the vertical direction, 

 so as to leave exposed the viscera which are normally covered by it. 

 In other cases it is displaced to one or other side, or it may even be 

 raised into the left hypochondrium. In normal circumstances a 

 few coils of the ileum are visible beyond the great omentum on the 

 right side, and, more especially in the female, one or two loops of the. 

 ileum may descend into the pelvic cavity to occupy the pouch of 



