Abdominal Wall

The abdomen is the region of the trunk that lies between the diaphragm above and the pelvic inlet below. This is a primarily soft tissue region, with little bony framework. Therefore, an intact abdominal wall is essential for the support of the abdominal contents.

Common abdominal problems include acute pain, swellings, and blunt and penetrating trauma. These problems are complicated by the fact that the abdomen contains multiple organ systems. Further, the physician can feel many abdominal contents through the flexible abdominal wall. Therefore, understanding the spatial relationships of the organs to one another and to the abdominal wall is essential for accurate and complete diagnosis.