Levels of Organization & Divisions of the Abdomen

atom

basic building blocks of matter

molecule

two or more atoms bonded together

cell

smallest unit of life

tissue

groups of similar cells performing a common function

organ

two or more tissues working together

organ system

group of organs performing major body functions

organism

complete living human body

sagittal plane

divides body into R & L sections

coronal (frontal) plane

divides body into anterior and posterior sections

transverse plane

divides body into superior and inferior sections

abdominal divisions

systems used to describe locations of abdominal structures

abdominal quadrants

4 section method for describing abdominal location

right upper quadrant

contains gallbladder

right lower quadrant

contains appendix

left upper quadrant

contains spleen

left lower quadrant

lower left abdominal quadrant

epigastric

region above the stomach

hypogastric

region below the stomach

hypochondriac

superior and lateral to the stomach

lumbar

region lateral to the umbilicus (middle portion)

iliac (inguinal)

lower lateral abdominal regions

umbilical

region surrounding navel

umbilicus

navel; center of the abdomen

transpyloric plane

superior transverse plane used in the 9 region system

transtubercular plane

inferior transverse plane used in the 9 region system