Abdominal 4 quadrants are divided in this way to help identify pain and tenderness, scars, lumps, and other items of interest, narrowing in on which organs and tissues may be involved.
What are the 4 quadrants and 9 regions of the abdomen?
The four quadrants of the abdomen are commonly used to describe the general location of abdominal organs and are divided by two imaginary lines:
- Right Upper Quadrant (RUQ): This quadrant is located in the upper right portion of the abdomen and contains organs such as the liver, gallbladder, right kidney, part of the small intestine, and portions of the large intestine.
- Left Upper Quadrant (LUQ): This quadrant is located in the upper left portion of the abdomen and contains organs such as the stomach, spleen, left kidney, part of the small intestine, and portions of the large intestine.
- Right Lower Quadrant (RLQ): This quadrant is located in the lower right portion of the abdomen and contains organs such as the appendix, cecum, right ovary (in females), right fallopian tube (in females), and parts of the small intestine and large intestine.
- Left Lower Quadrant (LLQ): This quadrant is located in the lower left portion of the abdomen and contains organs such as the left ovary (in females), left fallopian tube (in females), sigmoid colon, and parts of the small intestine and large intestine.
In addition to the four quadrants, the abdomen can also be divided into nine regions using two horizontal and two vertical lines. These regions are commonly known as the nine abdominal regions or regions of the abdomen:
- Right Hypochondriac Region: Located in the upper right area, below the right rib cage. It contains the liver, gallbladder, and part of the right kidney.
- Epigastric Region: Located in the upper middle area, above the stomach. It contains the stomach, pancreas, and part of the liver.
- Left Hypochondriac Region: Located in the upper left area, below the left rib cage. It contains the spleen and part of the left kidney.
- Right Lumbar Region: Located in the middle right area, near the waist. It contains the ascending colon and part of the small intestine.
- Umbilical Region: Located in the middle area around the navel (umbilicus). It contains the small intestine, transverse colon, and the umbilical region itself.
- Left Lumbar Region: Located in the middle left area, near the waist. It contains the descending colon and part of the small intestine.
- Right Iliac (Inguinal) Region: Located in the lower right area, near the groin. It contains the cecum, appendix, and part of the small intestine.
- Hypogastric (Pubic) Region: Located in the lower middle area, below the navel. It contains the bladder, reproductive organs (such as the uterus in females), and part of the small intestine.
- Left Iliac (Inguinal) Region: Located in the lower left area, near the groin. It contains part of the small intestine and the sigmoid colon.
These quadrants and regions provide a useful anatomical reference to describe the location of abdominal organs and aid in clinical assessments, such as identifying the location of pain or tenderness during a physical examination.
Abdominal 4 Quadrants – Abdominal Quadrants Explained
What is the mnemonic for remembering abdominal quadrants?
The common mnemonic for remembering the abdominal quadrants is “RUQ, LUQ, RLQ, LLQ.” Each letter corresponds to the initial of the quadrant it represents:
- RUQ: Right Upper Quadrant
- LUQ: Left Upper Quadrant
- RLQ: Right Lower Quadrant
- LLQ: Left Lower Quadrant
This mnemonic helps to quickly recall the order and names of the abdominal quadrants, making it easier to communicate and reference specific areas of the abdomen during medical or anatomical discussions.
What are the Organs within the Abdominal Quadrants?
Here are the major organs commonly located within each of the abdominal quadrants:
- Right Upper Quadrant (RUQ):
- Liver
- Gallbladder
- Right kidney
- Portion of the stomach
- Portion of the small intestine
- Part of the large intestine (ascending colon)
- Left Upper Quadrant (LUQ):
- Stomach
- Spleen
- Left kidney
- Portion of the liver
- Pancreas
- Portion of the small intestine
- Part of the large intestine (transverse colon)
- Right Lower Quadrant (RLQ):
- Appendix
- Cecum
- Right ovary and fallopian tube (in females)
- Right ureter
- Portion of the small intestine
- Part of the large intestine (ascending and part of the descending colon)
- Left Lower Quadrant (LLQ):
- Left ovary and fallopian tube (in females)
- Left ureter
- Portion of the small intestine
- Part of the large intestine (descending and sigmoid colon)
It’s important to note that while these organs are generally located within their respective quadrants, there can be some variation in individual anatomy, especially in cases such as organ enlargement or displacement due to medical conditions. Consulting with a healthcare professional can provide more accurate and specific information regarding the positioning and conditions of abdominal organs.
Abdominal 4 Quadrants and Nine Abdominal Regions – Anatomy and Physiology
What are the 4 Quadrants of Abdominal Pain and When You Should Seek Medical Attention?
Abdominal pain can be classified into four quadrants based on its location. Understanding the quadrant where the pain is experienced can provide some clues about potential underlying causes. Here are the four quadrants of abdominal pain and some instances when you should seek medical attention:
- Right Upper Quadrant (RUQ):
- Potential causes: Liver diseases (such as hepatitis or liver abscess), gallbladder issues (such as gallstones or cholecystitis), right kidney stones or infection, pneumonia affecting the lower right lung.
- When to seek medical attention: Seek immediate medical attention if you experience severe and persistent pain, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), high fever, or if the pain is accompanied by vomiting or difficulty breathing.
- Left Upper Quadrant (LUQ):
- Potential causes: Stomach ulcers, gastritis, spleen enlargement or rupture, left kidney stones or infection, pneumonia affecting the lower left lung.
- When to seek medical attention: Seek medical attention if you have severe and prolonged pain, vomiting blood, black or tarry stools, dizziness, shortness of breath, or signs of shock (pale skin, rapid heartbeat).
- Right Lower Quadrant (RLQ):
- Potential causes: Appendicitis, right ovarian cyst or torsion (in females), ectopic pregnancy (in females), right-sided diverticulitis, cecal or ascending colon issues.
- When to seek medical attention: If you experience severe pain in the RLQ that progressively worsens, is accompanied by nausea and vomiting, fever, loss of appetite, or if you notice any changes in bowel movements or the presence of blood in the stool, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention as appendicitis, ectopic pregnancy, or other conditions may require prompt treatment.
- Left Lower Quadrant (LLQ):
- Potential causes: Diverticulitis of the sigmoid colon, left ovarian cyst or torsion (in females), pelvic inflammatory disease (in females), left-sided kidney stones or infection.
- When to seek medical attention: Seek medical attention if you experience severe or worsening pain in the LLQ, fever, nausea, vomiting, changes in bowel movements, or if you have a history of diverticular disease or other concerning symptoms.
It’s important to note that the above information is not an exhaustive list of potential causes and should not replace professional medical advice. If you are experiencing abdominal pain that is severe, persistent, or accompanied by concerning symptoms, it is always recommended to consult a healthcare professional for a proper evaluation and diagnosis.
If you enjoyed these top glute exercises and would like to keep it close to you at any time, just save this pin to your Pinterest Training Board.
Home › Core Training ›Abdominal 4 Quadrants