Anatomy Atlases: Atlas of Human Anatomy in Cross Section: Topography of the Thorax and Abdomen

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Atlas of Human Anatomy in Cross Section

Appendix: Topography of the Thorax and Abdomen

Ronald A. Bergman, Ph.D., Adel K. Afifi, M.D., Jean J. Jew, M.D., and Paul C. Reimann, B.S.
Peer Review Status: Externally Peer Reviewed

The following topography is based on the review given by Potter in Eycleshymer and Schoemaker. Potter summarized the published data of 45 authors from the American, Austrian, English, French, German, Italian, and Russian literature. The present authors have added several other authors to Potter's original literature survey, which has been rewritten.

The following topographic lines have been used in the descriptions to follow. The anterior midline of the section is a vertical line passing through the middle of the sternum or linea alba. The posterior midline of the section is a vertical line through the centers of the spinous processes of the vertebrae. The midplane or medial plane is the vertical plane determined by these two lines. The sternal line is a vertical line along the lateral margin of the sternum. The mamillary line is a vertical line through the nipple. The nipple is so variable in position that this term is used synonymously with the midclavicular line. The parasternal line is a vertical line halfway between the sternal line and the mamillary line. The axillary line is a vertical line through the apex of the axilla. The scapular line is a vertical line through the inferior angle of the scapula.

Sternum

Suprasternal Notch
Manubriosternal Junction (Sternal Angle)
Xiphosternal Junction
Apex of the Xiphoid Process

Pelvis

Crests of the Ilia

Stomach

Cardiac Orifice
Fundus
Pylorus, Orfice

Duodenum, Jejunum, and Ileum

Superior Portion of Duodenum
Transverse Part
Duodenojejunal Flexure

Cecum

Lowest Point
Ileocecal Valve

Appendix

Base (Origin)

Colon

Hepatic Flexure
Splenic Flexure

Pancreas

Head
Body
Tail, Tip

Liver

Right Lobe, Highest Point
Right Lobe, Lowest Point
Anterior Margin, Midline

Gallbladder

Lowest Point

Spleen

Highest Point
Lowest Point

Trachea

Origin
Bifurcation

Lungs

Right, Apex
Right, Base
Right, Fissures
Left, Apex
Left, Base, Lowest Point
Left, Fissure
Respiratory Changes

Kidneys

Right, Superior Extremity
Right, Inferior Extremity
Left, Superior Extremity
Left, Inferior Extremity

Suprarenals

Right, Apex
Right, Lowest Point
Left, Apex
Left, Lowest Point

Heart and Heart Valves

Base, Highest Point
Apex, Lowest Point
Tricuspid Valve
Pulmonary Valve
Mitral Valve
Aortic Valve

Aorta

Arch
Bifurcation

Superior Vena Cava

Formation
Cardiac Orifice

Inferior Vena Cava

Formation
Cardiac Orifice

Umbilicus

Level

Title Page

Anatomy Atlases is curated by Michael P. D'Alessandro, M.D. and Ronald A. Bergman, Ph.D.

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