1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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