The Medical Term for the Area Above the Stomach

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The Medical Term for the Area Above the Stomach

By Your Health Magazine Health Information Team

You feel a burning, pressure, or tight sensation in the center of your upper abdomen—just below the breastbone—and wonder what that area is called. Is it the stomach, the upper abdomen, or something else? The medical term for above the stomach is the epigastric region, also called the epigastrium. “Epigastric” is the adjective healthcare professionals use when describing pain, tenderness, swelling, or other symptoms in this location.

Where Is the Epigastric Region?

The epigastric region is the upper central portion of the abdomen. It sits below the breastbone and rib cage, between the right and left upper areas of the abdomen, and above the umbilical region surrounding the belly button.

Clinicians often divide the abdomen into nine regions to describe exactly where a symptom is occurring. The epigastric region is the top middle section of that nine-region map. Another system divides the abdomen into four quadrants: right upper, left upper, right lower, and left lower. Because the epigastrium crosses the upper middle of the abdomen, it may overlap portions of both upper quadrants.

The epigastrium is a region, not a specific organ or muscle. When a clinician writes “epigastric pain” in a medical record, the term identifies where the pain is felt—not necessarily which organ is causing it.

Is the Epigastric Region Actually Above the Stomach?

The answer depends on how the phrase “above the stomach” is being used. In medical terminology, epigastric means over or upon the stomach. However, the stomach itself extends into the epigastric region and toward the left upper abdomen. It is not positioned entirely below this surface area.

If you mean which structure is anatomically superior to the stomach, the diaphragm lies directly above much of it. The diaphragm is the large muscle separating the chest from the abdominal cavity. The heart and lungs sit above the diaphragm within the chest.

This distinction explains why “epigastric,” “upper abdominal,” and “stomach” discomfort are not always interchangeable. Heartburn, for example, usually produces burning behind the breastbone, while indigestion commonly causes discomfort in the upper abdomen.

What Organs Are in or Near This Area?

Several organs or parts of organs are located within or near the epigastric region, including:

• Part of the stomach
• Part of the liver
• The pancreas
• The duodenum, which is the first portion of the small intestine
• Sections of the esophagus and large intestine
• The diaphragm and abdominal wall muscles

Because multiple structures share this relatively small area, symptom location alone cannot establish a diagnosis. Pain felt in the epigastrium may also be referred from another part of the body, meaning the source is somewhere other than where the discomfort is perceived.

What Does Epigastric Discomfort Feel Like?

People describe epigastric symptoms in many ways. The sensation may be burning, aching, gnawing, cramping, sharp, or pressure-like. It may occur during or after eating, when the stomach is empty, while lying down, or during physical movement. Other symptoms can include nausea, belching, bloating, early fullness, vomiting, or discomfort that travels toward the chest or back.

The timing and pattern often provide useful information. A healthcare professional may ask whether the discomfort is constant or intermittent, whether meals affect it, how long it lasts, and whether it occurs with bowel changes, fever, shortness of breath, or weight loss.

Common Reasons for Symptoms Above the Stomach

Indigestion

Indigestion, also called dyspepsia, can cause pain, burning, or discomfort in the upper abdomen. It may also involve bloating, nausea, belching, or feeling full unusually quickly. In some people, recurring indigestion is classified as functional dyspepsia when testing does not identify another condition that explains the symptoms.

Acid Reflux

Acid reflux occurs when stomach contents move upward into the esophagus. It commonly causes heartburn behind the breastbone and may also produce regurgitation, nausea, or upper abdominal discomfort. Heartburn and indigestion can occur together, but they are not the same condition.

Gastritis or a Peptic Ulcer

Inflammation or injury affecting the stomach lining may cause epigastric pain, nausea, reduced appetite, or uncomfortable fullness. Peptic ulcers can develop in the stomach or duodenum and may produce similar symptoms. Bleeding can lead to black stools or vomit containing blood.

Gallbladder or Pancreatic Conditions

Gallbladder pain is often felt in the right upper abdomen, but it may also be experienced in the epigastric area. Pancreatitis can cause upper abdominal pain that may become severe or spread to the back. These conditions require medical evaluation, particularly when pain is persistent or accompanied by vomiting, fever, or jaundice.

Muscle and Chest-Related Causes

Strained abdominal muscles, irritation around the ribs, or inflammation near the lower breastbone can produce localized tenderness that worsens with movement or pressure. Less commonly, heart or lung problems may be perceived as upper abdominal discomfort. A heart attack can sometimes feel like indigestion or pressure in the stomach area, especially when other warning signs are present.

Why the Location of Abdominal Pain Matters

Clear location descriptions help healthcare professionals narrow the possibilities and choose an appropriate evaluation. Epigastric discomfort points to a different group of possible causes than pain centered around the belly button, pelvis, or lower abdomen. For comparison, symptoms involving the pelvic area may have very different explanations, as discussed in this overview of sharp pain in the anus and lower abdomen in women.

Before an appointment, it may help to note when the symptom began, its exact location, its relationship to meals or activity, and any accompanying symptoms. Bring a list of medications and supplements, since some medicines—including certain anti-inflammatory drugs—can contribute to digestive irritation.

When to Seek Care

Contact a primary care clinician or gastroenterologist if epigastric discomfort keeps returning, lasts more than a couple of weeks, interferes with eating or daily activities, or does not improve. Evaluation may include a medical history, physical examination, laboratory testing, imaging, testing for Helicobacter pylori, or an upper endoscopy, depending on the circumstances.

Seek urgent or emergency care for severe or worsening abdominal pain, chest pressure, difficulty breathing, fainting, cold sweats, persistent vomiting, vomiting blood, black or tarry stools, yellowing of the skin or eyes, trouble swallowing, or unexplained weight loss. Call 911 if upper abdominal discomfort occurs with possible heart attack symptoms such as chest pressure or pain spreading to the arm, back, neck, or jaw.

The Bottom Line

The medical term for above the stomach is the epigastric region, or epigastrium. It is the upper middle area of the abdomen immediately below the breastbone. Because the stomach, liver, pancreas, duodenum, diaphragm, and other structures are located in or near this area, epigastric symptoms can have many possible causes. For additional general information about digestive and other health conditions, visit the MedlinePlus health topics directory.