Umbilical region

The umbilical region corresponds to the median area of the abdomen located around the umbilicus, at the center of the ventral abdominal wall. It occupies the intermediate portion of the abdomen, between the epigastric (cranial) and hypogastric (caudal) regions.

Anatomically, this region includes the rectus abdominis muscles and their tendinous intersections, as well as the medial portions of the oblique muscles. In depth, it overlies structures such as the small intestine (particularly the jejunum), part of the colon, and, depending on the species, the mesentery and various intestinal loops.

The morphology and relationships of the umbilical region vary among species: in dogs and cats, the umbilicus is a common surgical landmark and is often associated with congenital umbilical hernias; in ruminants, the zone is thicker due to abdominal tension related to the rumen; in horses, the umbilicus is discreet and positioned high beneath the abdominal wall; in humans, the umbilical region occupies the central portion of the abdomen and serves as a topographic reference for dividing abdominal quadrants and regions.