The Language of Anatomy Abdominopelvic quadrants and regions Anatomists and clinicians use specialized regional terms to indicate a specific area of concern within the abdomen or the pelvic regions of the body. The abdomen and pelvic regions can be subdivided into four regions (abdominopelvic quadrants) The abdomen and pelvic regions can be subdivided into nine regions (abdominopelvic regions) 1

The Language of Anatomy Abdominopelvic quadrants and regions Abdominopelvic quadrants Right upper quadrant (RUQ) Left upper quadrant (LUQ) Right lower quadrant (RLQ) Left lower quadrant (LLQ) 2

Figure 1.9a Abdominopelvic Quadrants and Regions Right Upper Quadrant (RUQ) Left Upper Quadrant (LUQ) Right lobe of liver, gallbladder, right kidney, portions of stomach, small and large intestine Left lobe of liver, stomach, pancreas, left kidney, spleen, portions of large intestine Right Lower Quadrant (RLQ) Left Lower Quadrant (LLQ) Cecum, appendix, and portions of small intestine, reproductive organs (right ovary in female and right spermatic cord in male), and right ureter Most of small intestine and portions of large intestine, left ureter, and reproductive organs (left ovary in female and left spermatic cord in male) Abdominopelvic quadrants divide the area into four sections. These terms, or their abbreviations, are most often used in clinical discussions. 3

The Language of Anatomy Abdominopelvic quadrants and regions Abdominopelvic regions Epigastric Right hypochondriac Left hypochondriac Umbilical Right lumbar Left lumbar Hypogastric Right inguinal Left inguinal 4

Figure 1.9b Abdominopelvic Quadrants and Regions Epigastric region Right hypochondriac region Left hypochondriac region Umbilical region Right lumbar region Left lumbar region Hypogastric region Right inguinal region Left inguinal region More precise anatomical descriptions are provided by reference to the appropriate abdominopelvic region. 5

The Language of Anatomy Abdominopelvic quadrants and regions Select organs found within the abdominopelvic quadrants RUQ: Most of the liver, gallbladder LUQ: Most of the stomach, spleen RLQ: cecum, appendix, right ureter, right ovary, right spermatic cord LLQ: left ureter, left ovary, left spermatic cord 6

The Language of Anatomy Abdominopelvic quadrants and regions Select organs found within the abdominopelvic regions Epigastric: left lobe of liver Right hypochondriac: right lobe of liver, liver fundus Left hypochondriac: stomach fundus, spleen 7

The Language of Anatomy Abdominopelvic quadrants and regions Select organs found within the abdominopelvic regions Umbilical: small intestine, transverse colon Right lumbar: ascending colon Left lumbar: descending colon 8

The Language of Anatomy Abdominopelvic quadrants and regions Select organs found within the abdominopelvic regions Hypogastric: urinary bladder, appendix (position varies), major portion of the small intestine Right inguinal: cecum, appendix (position varies) Left inguinal: sigmoid colon 9

Figure 1.9c Abdominopelvic Quadrants and Regions Stomach Liver Spleen Gallbladder Large intestine Small intestine Appendix Urinary bladder Quadrants or regions are useful because there is a known relationship between superficial anatomical landmarks and underlying organs. 10