214 HANDBOOK OF ANATOMY 



from the fifth interspace on the left side to the fourth interspace 

 on the right (both points in the mid-clavicular line). 



The Stomach. The stomach lies almost entirely in the left 

 half of the epigastric and the left hypochondriac regions. The 

 cardiac orifice lies 4 inches from the surface at a point over 

 the seventh left costal cartilage, 1 inch from the sternum ; the 

 pylorus is generally about 1 inch to the right of the mid-line 

 in the transpyloric plane ; its position varies slightly according 

 to the state of distension of the stomach. The highest part of 

 the fundus of the stomach lies under the left cupola of the 

 diaphragm, and reaches the fifth interspace in the mid-clavicular 

 line, a little above and behind the apex of the heart ; the lowest 

 part of the great curvature lies between the transpyloric and 

 infracostal planes. 



Small Intestine. The coils of the small intestine lie mainly 

 in the umbilical and hypogastric regions. 



Large Intestine. The csecum, which is in the right iliac 

 region, is in contact with the anterior abdominal wall just above 

 the outer third of Poupart's ligament; its position otherwise 

 varies according to its dilatation ; when empty, it is generally 

 covered by coils of small intestine. The orifice of the appendix 

 is opposite " McBurney's point," located on the surface at the 

 junction of the upper and middle thirds of a line drawn from* 

 the umbilicus to the right anterior superior iliac spine. 



The ascending colon lies deeply in the right lumbar region 

 upon the quadratus lumborum and the right kidney. 



The hepatic flexure lies immediately to the right of the gall- 

 bladder beneath the tenth costal cartilage. 



The transverse colon crosses the upper part of the umbilical 

 region; it forms a U-shaped loop which reaches for a variable 

 distance below the umbilicus ; when the intestines are distended 

 it may ascend in front of the stomach. 



The splenic flexure reaches upwards behind the stomach, and 

 touches the lower extremity of the spleen. 



The descending colon lies deeply in the left lumbar region. 



The iliac and pelvic portions of the colon lie in the left iliac 

 fossa and true pelvis respectively. 



The Kidneys. Unless enlarged or displaced, the kidneys can 



