Where is the flank on the human body?

The flank is the fleshy part of the body between the ribs and hips. This area houses many internal organs including the stomach, the small intestine and the colon.

The flank has been viewed as the weakest, most vital and most unprotected part of the body. Throughout history man has made armor to protect the upper body. The ribcage is a natural protective barrier to more vital organs such as the heart and lungs, but artificial armor was created to protect the sensitive areas such as the flank and abdomen. In animals, the flank is a commonly cooked piece of meat used in many steak dishes.