Transpyloric plane

Last revised by Frank Gaillard on 27 Jul 2022

The transpyloric plane, also known as Addison's plane, is an imaginary axial plane located midway between the jugular notch and superior border of pubic symphysis, at approximately the level of L1 vertebral body. It an important landmark as many key structures are visualized at this level, although natrurally there is anatomical variation. The structures traditionally thought of as lying in the transpyloric plane include:

  1. pylorus of the stomach
  2. D1 part of the duodenum
  3. duodeno-jejunal flexure
  4. root of the transverse mesocolon
  5. hepatic flexure of the colon
  6. splenic flexure of the colon
  7. fundus of the gallbladder
  8. neck of the pancreas
  9. hila of the kidneys
  10. hilum of the spleen
  11. ninth costal cartilage
  12. termination of spinal cord and superior portion of conus medullaris 
  13. origin of superior mesenteric artery 
  14. splenic vein joins superior mesenteric vein to form portal vein 
  15. cisterna chyli

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