Trauma Anatomy

Traumatic injuries, in general, undergo a workup based on the body region in which the injury has occurred. Identifying the correct body region allows the proper workup to be performed in order to identify injuries.

Here are the anatomic regions used in our trauma protocols at Cook County Trauma Unit:

The Anterior Cardiac box:

Superior = sterno-manubrial angle

Lateral = mid clavicular lines

Inferior = a line drawn between the costal margin at the level of the mid clavicular lines

The Posterior box:

Superior = top of the scapula

Lateral = medial to the scapula

Above the costal margins

Thoracoabdomen:

Superior margins: anterior = nipples and posterior = tip of scapula

Inferior = inferior costal margin

Anterior abdomen:

Superior = costal margins

Lateral = mid axillary line

Inferior = inguinal ligament

Back and flank:

Anterior = mid axillary lines

Superior = tip of scapula

Inferior = iliac crest

Drawings by Elizabeth Gwinn, MD