Quadrants and regions of abdomen

Quadrants and Regions of the Abdomen

The abdomen is divided into quadrants and regions that help in the identification and localization of abdominal organs. This division is used by medical professionals for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

File:Abdominal quadrants and regions.svg

Quadrants and regions of the abdomen

Quadrants

The abdomen is divided into four quadrants by two imaginary lines intersecting at the navel. These lines are the vertical midline and the horizontal transtubercular line.

Right Upper Quadrant (RUQ)

The Right Upper Quadrant (RUQ) contains the following organs:

• Part of the liver
• Gallbladder
• Part of the pancreas
• Right kidney and adrenal gland
• Part of the small intestine
• Part of the large intestine

Left Upper Quadrant (LUQ)

The Left Upper Quadrant (LUQ) contains the following organs:

• Part of the liver
• Stomach
• Spleen
• Part of the pancreas
• Left kidney and adrenal gland
• Part of the small and large intestines

Right Lower Quadrant (RLQ)

The Right Lower Quadrant (RLQ) contains the following organs:

• Part of the small and large intestines
• Appendix
• Right ureter
• Right ovary and fallopian tube in women
• Right spermatic cord in men

Left Lower Quadrant (LLQ)

The Left Lower Quadrant (LLQ) contains the following organs:

• Part of the small and large intestines
• Left ureter
• Left ovary and fallopian tube in women
• Left spermatic cord in men

Regions

The abdomen is also divided into nine regions by two horizontal and two vertical lines. The horizontal lines are the subcostal line and the intertubercular line, while the vertical lines are the midclavicular lines.

Epigastric Region

The Epigastric Region is the central region, located above the umbilical region and below the subcostal line. It contains part of the liver, the stomach, and the pancreas.

Umbilical Region

The Umbilical Region is the central region, located between the epigastric and hypogastric (pubic) regions. It contains the navel and parts of the small intestines.

Hypogastric (Pubic) Region

The Hypogastric Region is the central region, located below the umbilical region. It contains the urinary bladder, sigmoid colon, and reproductive organs.

Right and Left Hypochondriac Regions

The Hypochondriac Regions are located on either side of the epigastric region. They contain the liver (right), spleen (left), and parts of the kidneys.

Right and Left Lumbar Regions

The Lumbar Regions are located on either side of the umbilical region. They contain parts of the small and large intestines.

Right and Left Iliac (Inguinal) Regions

The Iliac Regions are located on either side of the hypogastric region. They contain parts of the small and large intestines, and the appendix (right).