ABDOMEN AND PELVIS 



MARK out on the abdomen, perineum, and small of the back 

 the various regions. Make three drawings of these regions, 

 labelling them accurately, one of the anterior surface, one of the 

 posterior surface, and one of the perineum when the body is in 

 the lithotomy position. (Vide Figs. 1, 2, 219, and 220.) 



Inspect the surface of the abdomen. Note the lower margin 

 of the thorax, counting the ribs (costae) and marking each with 

 its number. Locate the heart fossa (scrobiculus cordis) and the 

 navel (umbilicus). What is its position with reference to (a) 

 the lumbar vertebrae, (b) the thorax and pubis? How does its 

 position differ in the two sexes ! 



Observe the furrow in the median line (linea mediana ante- 

 rior) and note the difference in this furrow above and below the 

 umbilicus. Examine the pubic eminence (mons pubis) covered 

 with hair (pubes). Note the prominences due to the Mm. recti 

 abdominis and the furrows bounding these lateralward. Exam- 

 ine the direction of the hair streams (flumina pilorum). Note 

 the distribution of pigment in the skin; in female subjects look 

 for white, depressed streaks in the skin over the side and front 

 of the abdomen (striae albicantes). 



In the depression of the groin (inguen) observe the linear 

 elevation due to Poupart's ligament (lig amentum inguinale 

 [Pouparti]). Follow it out to the spina iliaca anterior superior. 



On the lateral surface of the abdomen define the limits of the 

 loin (latus). On the posterior surface of the abdomen examine 

 the small of the back (lumbus). Follow the furrow in the middle 

 line (linea mediana posterior) downward to the cleft between 

 the buttocks (crena ani). Note the hair streams (flumina pilo- 

 rum) here and vortices pilorum. Observe the prominence on 

 each side due to the M. sacrospinalis. Note that the surface of 

 the lumbus passes upward over the twelfth rib into the back and 

 lateralward to the loin (latus) without any perceptible delimita- 

 tion; below it is separated from the surface of the hip (coxa) by 

 the iliac crest. Observe the foveola coccygea. 



After thorough inspection, palpate the anterior and posterior 

 surfaces. Feel the cartilage of the xiphoid process (processus 



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