64 - Transpyloric plane

An upper transverse line also known as Addison's Plane, located halfway between the jugular notch and the upper border of the pubic symphysis. It is also said to lie roughly a hand's breadth beneath the xiphoid process of the human sternum. The plane in most cases cuts through the pylorus of the stomach, the tips of the ninth costal cartilages and the lower border of the first lumbar vertebra.

 The transpyloric plane is clinically notable because it passes through several important abdominal structures. These include:

1. lumbar vertebra 1 and hence passes just before the end of the spinal cord in adults. 
2. the fundus of the gallbladder 
3. the neck of the pancreas 
4. the pancreatic body 
5. the origin of the superior mesenteric artery from the abdominal aorta and 
6. termination of the superior mesenteric vein at the hepatic portal vein 
7. the left and right colic flexure  
8. hilum of the kidney on the left  
9. upper pole of the kidney on the right 
10. the root of the transverse mesocolon 
11. duodenojejunal flexure 
12. the 1st part of the duodenum 
13. the upper part of conus medullaris 
14. the spleen 
15. the pylorus of the stomach which will lie at this level approximately 5 cm to the right of the midline.

p.s: I want the readers to note that the image depicted above shows the transpyloric plane to be passing through the hilum of both kidneys, which infact is not true. The transpyloric plane actually passes through the upper pole of right kidney and the hilum of left kidney as mentioned in the description below the image. The cause of the error is probably because the artist depicted both the kidneys at equal height rather than the actual fact that the right kidney is inferior to the left kidney due to the liver above.