abdominopelvic

Abdominopelvic refers to the abdominopelvic cavity, a large ventral body cavity in humans that stretches from the diaphragm to the pelvic floor. It comprises two contiguous spaces: the abdominal cavity proper and the pelvic cavity. The superior boundary is the thoracic diaphragm; the inferior boundary is the pelvic inlet and pelvic floor. The posterior boundary is the vertebral column with associated muscles, and the anterior boundary is the abdominal wall.

Within this space, many organs reside. The peritoneal cavity, lined by peritoneum, envelops many organs such as the stomach, liver, spleen, gallbladder, most of the intestines, and the ovaries; supporting folds called mesenteries and omenta suspend organs from the posterior body wall. Several organs lie outside the peritoneal lining (retroperitoneal), including the kidneys and ureters, most of the pancreas, parts of the duodenum and colon. The pelvic portion contains the urinary bladder, portions of the reproductive organs, and the rectum.

Clinical relevance: Abdominopelvic anatomy is considered in imaging, surgery, and assessment of pain. Diagnostic evaluation often uses abdominal quadrants or nine-region divisions. Vascular supply mainly comes from the abdominal aorta and its branches, with venous drainage to the inferior vena cava; autonomic innervation includes sympathetic plexuses and, for many pelvic organs, parasympathetic input via the vagus and pelvic splanchnic nerves.