The belly button, or navel, is a familiar feature on the human abdomen, yet its internal anatomy often sparks curiosity. It serves as a visible reminder of our earliest connection to our mothers, marking where the umbilical cord once provided nourishment during development. After birth, this cord is clamped and severed, leaving behind the distinct scar that becomes the navel. Many wonder what lies directly beneath this central point of the body. This prompts an exploration into the abdominal region’s complex layers and organs.
The Anatomy Directly Behind the Navel
Contrary to popular belief, there isn’t a single, isolated organ situated immediately behind the belly button. Instead, a series of protective layers form the abdominal wall between the skin and the abdominal cavity. These layers, from superficial to deep, include the skin, subcutaneous fat, muscle layers like the rectus abdominis, and various fascial sheets. Beneath these structural components lies the parietal peritoneum, a thin, continuous membrane that lines the internal surface of the abdominal wall. This membrane separates the external abdominal wall from the internal organs.
In adults, the navel is not directly connected to any internal organ. The umbilical vessels within the cord, which once carried blood, wither and become fibrous ligaments after birth, sealing off the area and losing their original function.
Within the abdominal cavity, the structures most consistently found closest to the navel are portions of the intestines. Specifically, portions of the small and large intestines are typically positioned in the central umbilical region. The exact position of these mobile organs can vary slightly from person to person, depending on factors like body posture or the amount of gas and contents within the digestive tract.
Another significant structure often found near the intestines in this area is the greater omentum. This is a large, apron-like fold of fatty tissue that hangs down from the stomach and drapes over the intestines. The omentum provides a protective covering for the abdominal organs and plays a role in immune responses. Therefore, while no single organ is fixed directly behind the navel, the intestines and the omentum are the closest internal components within the abdominal cavity.
Organs in the Surrounding Abdomen
While the immediate area behind the navel is primarily occupied by intestinal loops and the omentum, the broader abdominal cavity contains numerous other organs, each with a general location relative to the navel. The abdomen is often divided into nine regions or four quadrants for anatomical and clinical reference, with the navel serving as a central landmark.
Superior to the navel, in the upper abdominal regions, are organs such as the stomach, liver, and pancreas. The stomach is typically located in the upper left and central part of the abdomen, above the navel. The liver, a large organ, occupies the upper right quadrant, extending slightly into the center, and sits beneath the diaphragm. The pancreas is situated deep in the central abdomen, behind the stomach, above the navel.
The small intestine primarily occupies the central and lower portions of the abdomen, while the large intestine frames it, looping around from the right hip, across the upper abdomen, and down the left side. Other organs, such as the kidneys, are located further back against the abdominal wall, behind the peritoneum, in what is known as the retroperitoneal space. The bladder is positioned even lower, within the pelvis, not directly behind the navel.
These organs are suspended within the abdominal cavity by folds of peritoneum, allowing for their movement. This arrangement highlights that while many organs reside in the abdomen, their specific positions mean they are not directly adjacent to the navel’s inner surface, but rather in its surrounding vicinity.