What's the area called below your belly button?

October 2, 2025 •

4 min read

The human body is often divided into nine specific regions to help healthcare providers accurately diagnose issues. This anatomical precision means the area directly below your navel has a distinct medical name. What's the area called below your belly button, and what vital structures are housed within it?

Quick Summary

The region directly below your belly button is known medically as the hypogastric or suprapubic region, which contains important organs like the bladder and parts of the intestines.

Key Points

Hypogastric Region: The anatomical term for the central area directly below the belly button is the hypogastric region.
Suprapubic Region: This area is also commonly referred to as the suprapubic region, indicating its position above the pubic bone.
Contains Key Organs: Vital organs like the urinary bladder, portions of the small and large intestines (sigmoid colon, ileum), and reproductive organs are found here.
Part of a 9-Region Grid: The hypogastric region is one of nine distinct divisions used by anatomists to precisely map the abdomen.
Clinical Significance: Precise terminology helps healthcare providers accurately diagnose and localize the source of abdominal pain and other symptoms.
Not Just a 'Lower Belly': The medical terms offer far more specificity and accuracy than colloquialisms, which is crucial for communication in a medical setting.

Demystifying Abdominal Anatomy

Understanding the medical terms for different parts of the body can be incredibly useful, especially when describing symptoms to a doctor. The abdomen is one area where knowing the precise terminology can make a difference. While many of us use casual terms like "lower belly," healthcare professionals rely on a standardized system to accurately communicate about specific locations and the organs they contain.

The Nine Abdominal Regions

The most common way to divide the abdomen is by imagining a tic-tac-toe board laid over your torso. This creates a nine-region grid that provides far more specificity than the simpler four-quadrant system. This system uses two vertical lines (the midclavicular lines, running from the middle of the collarbones) and two horizontal lines (the subcostal plane at the bottom of the ribcage and the intertubercular plane across the hip bones).

Right Hypochondriac Region: Top right area, contains parts of the liver and gallbladder.
Epigastric Region: Center top area, above the stomach.
Left Hypochondriac Region: Top left area, home to parts of the spleen and stomach.
Right Lumbar Region: Middle right area, near the waist.
Umbilical Region: The central area around the belly button.
Left Lumbar Region: Middle left area, also near the waist.
Right Iliac Region: Bottom right area, contains the appendix.
Hypogastric Region: The central area directly below the navel.
Left Iliac Region: Bottom left area.

The Hypogastric and Suprapubic Regions

As noted in the nine-region system, the central area below the navel is the hypogastric region. This is also commonly known as the suprapubic region, as it is located superior, or above, the pubic bone. The prefix hypo- means "below" and -gastric refers to the stomach, indicating its position relative to the stomach. The suprapubic term is equally descriptive, with supra- meaning "above" and -pubic referring to the pubis, or pubic bone. Both names are used interchangeably in a clinical setting to specify this area.

Organs Located in the Hypogastric Region

Several critical organs reside in the hypogastric region, which is why pinpointing symptoms here is so important for accurate diagnosis. The primary organs in this area include:

Urinary Bladder: The hollow, muscular organ that stores urine before it is expelled from the body. Given its location, pain in this region is often associated with bladder issues.
Small Intestine: Portions of the ileum, the final and longest segment of the small intestine, loop through this region before connecting to the large intestine.
Large Intestine: Specifically, the sigmoid colon and rectum, which are the final segments of the large intestine, are found here. These parts play a key role in waste elimination.
Reproductive Organs: In females, the uterus and ovaries are located in or extend into this area. For males, the seminal vesicles and prostate are positioned here.

Comparing Medical Terminology: Quadrants vs. Regions

While the nine-region method offers excellent precision, a simpler four-quadrant division is also widely used in medicine, particularly for a quick assessment. The four quadrants are the right upper quadrant (RUQ), left upper quadrant (LUQ), right lower quadrant (RLQ), and left lower quadrant (LLQ), with the lines intersecting at the navel.


Feature	Four-Quadrant System	Nine-Region System
Number of Divisions	Four (RUQ, LUQ, RLQ, LLQ)	Nine (hypochondriac, epigastric, lumbar, umbilical, iliac, hypogastric)
Defining Lines	Two intersecting lines through the navel	Two vertical (midclavicular) and two horizontal (subcostal and intertubercular) lines.
Level of Specificity	Broad and general, suitable for initial diagnosis.	Highly specific, used for precise localization of organs and pain.
Clinical Use	Emergency medicine and general practice for quick assessment.	Anatomical studies, surgery planning, and specialized diagnostics.
Key Organ Localization	Less precise for smaller organs. For example, appendicitis is noted as RLQ pain.	More precise for locating specific organs. For example, appendicitis is in the right iliac region.

For a comprehensive understanding of human anatomy and the proper terminology used, authoritative resources like Kenhub: Regions of the abdomen can be invaluable.

Understanding Pain in the Hypogastric Region

Because of the array of organs in the hypogastric area, pain can stem from multiple sources. It could be related to digestive issues like a colon problem, urinary tract infections affecting the bladder, or reproductive organ conditions. For instance, appendicitis often causes pain that migrates to the right iliac region, but it might start as generalized lower abdominal pain. Any persistent or severe pain should be evaluated by a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis. The specific location within this broader region can give a doctor important clues about the potential source of the problem.

Conclusion

While it's common to refer to the body in simple terms, the field of medicine relies on precise anatomical language. The next time you wonder what's the area called below your belly button?, you'll know the answer is the hypogastric or suprapubic region. Knowing this terminology not only expands your anatomical knowledge but also allows for clearer communication with medical professionals, which can lead to better health outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

The term "hypogastric" comes from Greek origins: hypo- meaning "below" and -gaster meaning "stomach". This accurately describes its anatomical position below the stomach region, specifically inferior to the umbilical region.

There is no difference; the terms are synonymous. "Hypogastric" refers to its position below the stomach, while "suprapubic" refers to its position above the pubic bone. Both are correct and are often used interchangeably in medical contexts.

The hypogastric region contains several vital organs, including the urinary bladder, the sigmoid colon, the rectum, and parts of the small intestine. In females, the uterus and ovaries are also located in or extend into this area.

Pain in the hypogastric region can arise from numerous sources due to the organs housed there. Common causes include bladder issues (like UTIs), menstrual cramps, colon problems (such as colitis), or issues with the appendix, though appendicitis pain often migrates to the right side.

Yes, the hypogastric region overlaps with the pelvic region. The abdomen is often described as the abdominopelvic cavity, which is the space containing both abdominal and pelvic organs. The hypogastric area is the lowest central region of this cavity.

Doctors use the nine-region system, which includes the hypogastric region, to precisely pinpoint the location of a patient's pain or symptoms. This specificity helps them narrow down the list of potential causes and perform more accurate and targeted diagnostic tests.

No, the belly button, or navel, is the central point of the separate umbilical region. The hypogastric region is located directly below the umbilical region.