An upper transverse line also known as Addison's Plane, is located halfway between the jugular notch and the upper border of the pubic symphysis

Pubic symphysis

The pubic symphysis or symphysis pubis is the midline cartilaginous joint uniting the superior rami of the left and right pubic bones. It is located anterior to the urinary bladder and superior to the external genitalia; for females it is above the vulva and for males it is above the penis...

; this indicates the margin of the transpyloric plane, which in most cases cuts through the pylorus

Pylorus

The pylorus is the region of the stomach that connects to the duodenum . It is divided into two parts:* the pyloric antrum, which connects to the body of the stomach.* the pyloric canal, which connects to the duodenum....

, the tips of the ninth costal cartilages

Costal cartilages

The costal cartilages are bars of hyaline cartilage which serve to prolong the ribs forward and contribute very materially to the elasticity of the walls of the thorax.-Differences from 1-12:...

 and the lower border of the first lumbar vertebra.

Structures crossed

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

• lumbar vertebra 1 and hence passes just before the end of the spinal cord
  Spinal cord
  The spinal cord is a long, thin, tubular bundle of nervous tissue and support cells that extends from the brain . The brain and spinal cord together make up the central nervous system...
  
   in adults.
• the fundus of the gallbladder
• the neck of the pancreas
• the pancreatic body
• the origin of the superior mesenteric artery
  Superior mesenteric artery
  In human anatomy, the superior mesenteric artery arises from the anterior surface of the abdominal aorta, just inferior to the origin of the celiac trunk, and supplies the intestine from the lower part of the duodenum through two-thirds of the transverse colon, as well as the pancreas.-Location...
  
   from the abdominal aorta
  Aorta
  The aorta is the largest artery in the body, originating from the left ventricle of the heart and extending down to the abdomen, where it branches off into two smaller arteries...
  
   and termination of the superior mesenteric vein
  Superior mesenteric vein
  In anatomy, the superior mesenteric vein is a blood vessel that drains blood from the small intestine . At its termination behind the neck of the pancreas, the SMV combines with the splenic vein to form the hepatic portal vein...
  
   at the hepatic portal vein
  Hepatic portal vein
  The hepatic portal vein is not a true vein, because it does not conduct blood directly to the heart. It is a vessel in the abdominal cavity that drains blood from the gastrointestinal tract and spleen to capillary beds in the liver...
  
  
• the left and right colic flexure
  Colic flexure
  Colic flexure can refer to:* Hepatic flexure * Splenic flexure...
  
  
• hilum of the kidney on the left
• upper pole of the kidney on the right
• the root of the transverse mesocolon
  Transverse mesocolon
  The transverse mesocolon is a broad, meso-fold of peritoneum, which connects the transverse colon to the posterior wall of the abdomen.It is continuous with the two posterior layers of the greater omentum, which, after separating to surround the transverse colon, join behind it, and are continued...
  
  
• duodenojejunal flexure
  Duodenojejunal flexure
  The duodenojejunal flexure or duodenojejunal junction is the border between the duodenum and the jejunum.The ascending portion of the duodenum ascends on the left side of the aorta, as far as the level of the upper border of the second lumbar vertebra, where it turns abruptly forward to become the...
  
  
• the 1st part of the duodenum
  Duodenum
  The duodenum is the first section of the small intestine in most higher vertebrates, including mammals, reptiles, and birds. In fish, the divisions of the small intestine are not as clear and the terms anterior intestine or proximal intestine may be used instead of duodenum...
  
  
• the upper part of conus medullaris
  Conus medullaris
  The conus medullaris is the terminal end of the spinal cord. It occurs near lumbar vertebral levels 1 and 2 . After the spinal cord tapers out, the spinal nerves continue as dangling nerve roots called cauda equina. This terminal nerve root tail is referred to as the filum terminale...
  
  
• the spleen
  Spleen
  The spleen is an organ found in virtually all vertebrate animals with important roles in regard to red blood cells and the immune system. In humans, it is located in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen. It removes old red blood cells and holds a reserve of blood in case of hemorrhagic shock...
  
  
• the pylorus of the stomach which will lie at this level approximately 5 cm to the right of the midline.

External links

• Transpyloric plane of Addison | Medchrome
• http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/_/viewer.aspx?path=dorland&name=plane(2).jpg