Quadrant (abdomen)

Quadrant (abdomen)

The human abdomen is traditionally divided into four sections known as quadrants. These quadrants are used by healthcare professionals to help localize, diagnose, and treat specific issues within the abdominal region. The quadrants are defined by the median plane and the umbilical plane, dividing the abdomen into the right upper quadrant (RUQ), left upper quadrant (LUQ), right lower quadrant (RLQ), and left lower quadrant (LLQ).

Anatomy

Each quadrant of the abdomen contains specific organs and structures that are critical to the body's function.

Right Upper Quadrant

The Right Upper Quadrant (RUQ) contains the following structures: the right lobe of the liver, the gallbladder, the right kidney, portions of the stomach, the duodenum, and parts of the colon.

Left Upper Quadrant

The Left Upper Quadrant (LUQ) contains the left lobe of the liver, the spleen, the left kidney, the stomach, the pancreas, and parts of the colon.

Right Lower Quadrant

The Right Lower Quadrant (RLQ) contains the right ureter, the right ovary and fallopian tube in women, the appendix, and parts of the colon.

Left Lower Quadrant

The Left Lower Quadrant (LLQ) contains the left ureter, the left ovary and fallopian tube in women, and parts of the colon.

Clinical Significance

The division of the abdomen into quadrants allows healthcare professionals to more easily and accurately diagnose and treat abdominal issues. For example, pain in the RLQ could indicate appendicitis, while pain in the LUQ could suggest a problem with the spleen.

See Also

• Abdomen
• Human anatomy
• Abdominal pain