INFRACOSTAL LINE Meaning and
Definition
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The term "infracostal line" refers to a conceptual anatomical construct that describes a horizontal line running across the lower portion of the rib cage. It is drawn just below the lowest rib in a person's ribcage, which is known as the 12th rib. The term "infra" means below or beneath, while "costal" relates to the ribs. Therefore, the infracostal line represents the line situated beneath the lowest rib.
The infracostal line serves as a demarcation point in certain medical procedures and assessments. For instance, in abdominal surgery, it is used as a reference point for accessing or entering the abdominal cavity. Surgeons may make an incision along this line to gain access to the organs located inside the abdomen.
Furthermore, the infracostal line is utilized in determining the location of various internal structures during physical examinations, such as the positioning of the kidneys or the liver. It provides a standardized referencing system to ensure consistency and accuracy when describing the relative location or direction of certain structures in the human body.
Overall, the infracostal line provides a useful point of reference for surgeons, clinicians, and researchers working in the medical field to describe and locate anatomical features within the lower region of the rib cage.
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A horizontal line joining the lower borders of the tenth costal cartilages; it separates the epigastric from the umbilical regions, and the subcostal from the mesogastric zones; see illustration of abdominal regions.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for INFRACOSTAL LINE
- infracostal linu
- infracostal linm
- infracostal lina
- infracostal ling
- i nfracostal line
- in fracostal line
- inf racostal line
- infr acostal line
- infra costal line
- infrac ostal line
- infraco stal line
- infracos tal line
- infracost al line
- infracosta l line
- infracostal l ine
- infracostal li ne
- infracostal lin e
Etymology of INFRACOSTAL LINE
The term "infracostal line" is derived from Latin and Greek.
The word "infra" comes from Latin, meaning "below" or "under".
The word "costal" is derived from the Latin word "costa", which means "rib".
Lastly, the word "line" originates from the Greek word "linē", which means "a string" or "a line".
Therefore, "infracostal line" can be understood as a line that is located below or under the ribs.
