Blog Details

Healthcare providers use four quadrants to describe and locate abdominal discomfort and anomalies. One horizontal line passes through the umbilicus (belly button), dividing the abdomen into upper and lower halves, and one vertical line runs vertically down the middle of the abdomen, dividing it into left and right halves. Medical assessments require understanding these abdominal quadrants to standardize abdominal results.

Abdominal Quadrants & Organs

Organs and structures in each quadrant facilitate diagnosis and prompt medical care. There are nine anatomical parts and four quadrants in the abdomen. The abdomen is divided into four equal quadrants. Draw two imaginary lines: one vertically through the umbilicus (belly button) and one horizontally at waist level.

The four abdominal quadrants and their organs are described below. All quadrants contain large and small intestines.

Right Upper Quadrant (RUQ)

The right upper quadrant contains various organs, including:

• Duodenum

• Gallbladder

• Liver and pancreas

• Right kidney

• Right adrenal gland

• Stomach

Clinical conditions affecting the RUQ include liver diseases, gallstones, hepatitis, and appendicitis (when the appendix is in the RUQ).

Left Upper Quadrant (LUQ) 

The left upper quadrant contains several important organs, including:

• Left adrenal

• Left kidney

• Liver and pancreas

• Spleen Stomach

Conditions affecting the LUQ may include spleen disorders, gastritis, pancreatitis, or peptic ulcers.

Right Lower Quadrant (RLQ)

The right lower quadrant encompasses organs such as:

• In the appendix

• Reproductive organs

• Right ureter

Appendicitis is a common condition associated with the RLQ, often requiring surgical intervention.

Left Lower Quadrant (LLQ)

The left lower quadrant contains structures as follows:

• Left ureter

• Left Ovarian part and Fallopian duct (in women)

• Segments of the Small and Large Intestine

Conditions affecting the LLQ may include diverticulitis, ovarian cysts, or kidney stones.

Abdominal Areas

Two parasagittal and two horizontal (transverse) planes. These divide the abdomen into nine parts. 

Regions include:

• Hypochondriac (left and right): under the ribs on the upper abdomen.

• Left and right lumbar: near the waistline, on either side of the umbilical cord.

• Left and right iliac: lower abdomen, near hip bones.

• Epigastric: above the stomach and between the hypochondriac areas.In the center, around the belly button. Below the umbilicus, towards the pubic bone.

Four Quads of Abdomen

Following are the four abdominal quadrants: 

1. Right Upper Quad

RUQ pathology involves the liver and gallbladder. There are numerous unique biliary systems and liver illnesses, but most will cause pain in this quadrant and maybe the right shoulder blade. External signs will be minimal. Traumatic RUQ injuries most often involve liver lacerations and hematomas with hypotension.

2. Left Upper Quad

The LUQ causes stomach ulcers and splenic disease. Gastric ulcers are prevalent and can cause LUQ and RUQ pain. They may cause substantial hematemesis. Hematemesis can accompany LUQ trauma. Splenic lacerations, like liver lacerations, are the most common traumatic LUQ injuries and can cause hematoma and hypotension.

3. Left Lower Quad

Diverticulitis, impacted stool, and ovarian pathology affect the LLQ. Each will have tenderness and other symptoms. Expect ovarian torsion and intestinal perforation in this quadrant, where trauma is rare. Most complaints are acute. Foreign objects or trauma can cause rectum and sigmoid colon perforations.

4. Right Lower Quad

The RLQ resembles the LLQ. Appendixes are exceptions. Common acute abdominal problems include appendicitis. If the appendix in the RLQ becomes inflamed, central abdominal pain can transfer to the LLQ after several hours. After the appendix ruptures, acute discomfort, a stiff abdomen, fever, and shock may occur.

Conditions Related to Abdominal Quadrants 

Following are the few medical conditions that are related to abdomen quads:

Differentiating Epigastric Pain

In the stomach quadrant organs, GERD and gastritis can cause epigastric pain and soreness. You may have chest pain, heartburn, and acid reflux. Gut ulcers can make the epigastric area hurt. In earlier times, food made the pain worse, and antacids didn't help. Some signs of pancreatitis are gut pain, feeling sick, throwing up, and losing your appetite. Pancreatitis is caused by gallstones, drinking too much, and high cholesterol. It is important to visit a pain specialist in Dallas if you experience any signs among them. 

Differentiating Right Iliac Pain

Initial onset of migrating lower right abdominal quadrants pain, anorexia, nausea, and vomiting in the right iliac area may indicate appendicitis. Right-sided inguinal hernias can cause right iliac discomfort. The first signs include an inguinal protrusion. Check and palpate the hernia for incarceration or strangulation. Intestinal incarceration may cause blockage. In patients with right-sided inguinal hernias and obstructive symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, anorexia, discomfort, or constipation, the hernia may contain a portion of the cecum.

Differentiating Hypogastric Pain

Appendicitis or diverticulitis can induce hypogastrium (suprapubic) pain. If the sigmoid and left colon are involved, diverticulitis may cause lower left quadrant pain. Ischemic colitis, caused by mesenteric ischemia, causes pain and vivid red rectal bleeding. The left colon is often associated with ischemic colitis because of watershed areas around the splenic flexure in the distal transverse colon and upper rectum. Cystitis or UTIs can induce hypogastric discomfort. Consult with pain physicians in Dallas if you feel any pain. 

Differentiating Left Iliac Pain 

Diverticulitis, inguinal hernia, and ischemic colitis produce left Iliac pain. Inguinal hernias often start with a protrusion. A left-sided inguinal hernia may strangle the sigmoid colon and cause nausea, vomiting, anorexia, discomfort, or constipation. Because it affects the rectum initially, ulcerative colitis can also occur here. Bloody diarrhea, discomfort, fever, and weight loss are common.

Clinical Significance

The abdominal quadrants and regions are utilized to identify the source of pain and provide the best treatment. For example, pain in the LUQ may indicate kidney stones, inflammatory or irritable bowel syndrome, or ovarian cysts. Pain in the RLQ signifies Crohn's disease, endometriosis, or an inguinal hernia, but pain in the LLQ indicates pelvic inflammatory illnesses. Discomfort in the RUQ is common with gastric reflux and pancreatitis, but right iliac discomfort is typically associated with appendicitis. A pain doctor in Dallas can help you better find out what kind of pain you are going through and which treatment you need at that time.

Conclusion