epigastrisk

Epigastrisk, more commonly spelled epigastric in English, refers to the epigastric region of the abdomen. The term is used in anatomy and medicine to describe the central, upper part of the abdomen just below the sternum. The adjective epigastrisk is used in some languages, notably Swedish, to mean “pertaining to the epigastric region.”

Anatomical boundaries and contents: In the common nine-region abdominal layout, the epigastric region sits in the upper middle portion between the left and right hypochondriac regions and above the umbilical region. It is bounded superiorly by the costal margins and inferiorly by the subcostal plane; laterally it lies near the midclavicular lines. The epigastric region contains or relates to several organs, including the stomach (especially the pyloric area), parts of the pancreas (head and body), the proximal duodenum, and portions of the liver. The diaphragm forms its superior boundary, and other structures may extend into this region depending on body habitus and organ size.

Clinical relevance: Epigastric pain or tenderness is a common clinical finding with a broad differential. Causes include gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, pancreatitis, biliary disease, and, less commonly, cardiac conditions that can present with upper abdominal pain. Physical examination may note epigastric tenderness, guarding, or referred pain. Imaging and diagnostic tests often reference the epigastric region as a landmark, and conditions such as epigastric hernia involve protrusion through the linea alba in this area.

See also: abdominal regions, epigastric pain, epigastric hernia.