What is Fishman's Triangle and Why is it So Dangerous?

When you think of triangles, what do your think of? The Bermuda Triangle? Coat hangers? A slice of pizza? A slice of cake? A different slice of pizza? Okay, you can stop thinking about triangles now!

You probably didn't think about your chest just now. But when it comes to human health, there is one very important triangle that you shouldn't be obtuse about. Don't worry though, this article won't isosceleave anything out. In fact, there is some very important information right ahead.

A typical American man, shown here demonstrating Fishman's Triangle

Imagine an upside down triangle with the base connecting your nipples and your belly button as the apex. Known formally as Fishman's Triangle, but often referred to as the "triangle of despair", it's the one place on the body that should strike fear in the hearts of all humanity. It has been implicated in the death of virtually every living human since we first crawled out of the swamps four to five thousands years ago.

Mort Fishman, MD, shown here holding the clipboard passed down through his family for thousands of years and that some believe grants him magical powers*

Cardiopulmonary Gastronephrologist Mort Fishman, MD, who first described the connection between this area of the human body and our inevitable mortality, explains why the triangle of despair poses such a risk and how to avoid complications.

What's so bad about the triangle of despair?

Think of this specific region as a direct line to important organs like the heart, lungs, intestines, and kidneys. That's because of blood vessels, a largely misunderstood network of small tubes that carry blood around the human body. Even though your can't see them, blood vessels run throughout your body tissues and often make direct connections between areas that are pretty far apart, like the left ear and the plectum.

Any medical problem in Fishman's Triangle, from a glubulated heart valve to a penetrating upper abdominal wound, has a chance of spreading to other vital organs.

"There is a chance, though sometimes admittedly it isn't a particularly big one, that even a routine lung infection could eventually impact the rest of your body," Dr. Fishman says.

Can it really kill you?

Hey now, don't worry too much. You probably won't just up and die because of small flesh wound or a minor kidney stone. But technically, I can't say that you definitely won't. It might even happen right now.

"The good news is that dying from something in my triangle is unlikely at any given moment," Dr. Fishman adds. "But something in there has almost certainly as least started to move in that direction, and it's going to get you eventually. And I suppose it could be any minute. Maybe even right now. Who's to say?"

A hysterical woman, shown here clutching her Fishman's Triangle and complaining of severe chest pain that is probably just caused by emotional stress and she should try some deep breathing and get a hold of herself because she's making a scene in front of all these nice people

In rare cases, but enough to make you think about it while trying to fall asleep tonight, even seemingly inconsequential problems in Fishman's Triangle could become catastrophic, like an infected hair follicle or a large blood clot in your pulmonary artery. Fishman's Triangle has been associated with a variety of serious and potentially life-threatening health issues, including:

- Heart attacks

- Lung attacks

- Passive-aggressive bowel disease (PABD)

- Adrenal fatigue

- Splenic ennui

- Disillusioned kidneys

- Storchus

- Plectal derangement

As long as these problems are caught in time, they are often treatable. If a patient dies despite appropriate treatment, they probably just didn't seek help in time or they didn't fight hard enough. 

When to see your doctor

If you have health concerns involving the triangle of despair, monitor them closely and pay constant attention to your overall health for any worrisome changes in the way you feel. Research near Harvard has proven that even a slight decrease in energy levels or a mild ache or pain can be a warning sign of imminent collapse of multiple organ systems. Panic and seek help immediately!

"The problem may start off small but start to get bigger, spreading to other organs and regions of the body, like the genitals or feet," Dr. Fishman explains. "And you will probably start to feel much worse. And don't listen to people who try to reassure you that you seem fine and maybe you should try to relax. See a doctor as soon as possible for diagnosis and treatment."

*Be sure to check out The Fishman Files, a brand new reality show that takes the viewer on a journey of discovery as Dr. Mort Fishman cures the ill and fights off evil spirits, all while raising his autistic nephew whose parents disappeared mysteriously while sailing through the Bermuda Triangle. The Fishman Files, Sundays at 8 on The History Channel.