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Boundaries of the abdomen.—The abdomen is bounded above by the diaphragm which on the right side is as high as the fourth intercostal space, on the left as the fifth rib; below by the pelvis; in front by the seven or eight lower ribs and the abdominal muscles and fascia; behind and on each side by the vertebral column, ribs, and muscles.

Regions of the abdomen.—Two transverse lines, one beginning at the most prominent point of the costal cartilages, the other at the crest of the ilium, drawn round the body to similar points at the opposite side, mark off three spaces or zones, which may be subdivided by a perpendicular line on each side, falling from the cartilage of the 8th rib to the centre of Poupart's ligament. The regions thus marked off are epigastric, umbilical, and hypogastric in the middle hypochondriac, iliac, and inguinal at the sides.

.—Inflammation of the peritoneum.—Peritonitis is inflammation of the serous membrane which lines the abdominal cavity and invests the viscera. When unconnected with injury or visceral complication, the inflammation spreads over its whole surface ; but when associated with pre-existing disease, or caused by a blow or penetrating wound, is often limited to the covering of the affected organ, or the immediate neighbourhood of the injury. For example in dysentery, the peritoneal investment of the caecum, and in hepatitis of the liver