Abdominal Quadrants and Organs Contained To
The Abdomen is divided into FOUR quadrants. By using 2 imaginary lines that intersect at the navel you divide the abdomen into right upper (RUQ) and lower (RLQ), and left upper (LUQ) and lower (LLQ) quadrants.
WHY??!
Abdominal quadrants should be carefully palpated with the palmar surface of the fingers and fingertips while watching for signs of pain in the patient's face. Each quadrant contains important organs and knowing where they are in quadrants will make the difference in your assessment. REMEMBER! A patient complaining of abdominal pain should have the area of complaint evaluated carefully and LAST!
RUQ:
* Gallbladder
- head of Pancreas
- Liver
- Pylorus
- Duodenum
- R adrenal gland
- portion of R kidney
- Hepatic flexure of colon
- portions of ascending and transverse coolon
Possible Origins:
* Cholecystitis
* Hepatitis
* Pancreatitis
* Perforated ulcer
* Renal pain (right)
LUQ:
* Spleen
* body of Pancreas
- L lobe of liver
- stomach
- L adrenal gland
- portion of L kidney
- Splenic flexure of colon
* Pancreatitis
* Gastritis
* Renal pain (left)
RLQ:
* Appendix
- lower pole of R kidney
- Cecum and appendix
- portion of ascending colon
- Bladder (if distended)
- Ovary and salpinx
- Uterus (if enlarged)
- R ureter
* Appendicitis
* Abdominal aortic dissection or rupture
* Ruptured ectopic pregnancy
* Ovarian cyst (right)
* Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
* Urinary calculus
* Hernia
* Ovarian or testicular torsion
LLQ:
- lower pole of L kidney
- Sigmoid colon
- portion of descending colon
- bladder (if distended)
- Ovary and Salpinx
- Uterus (if enlarged)
- L ureter
* Diverticulitis
* Abdominal aortic dissection or rupture
* Ruptured ectopic pregnancy
* Ovarian cyst (left)
* PID
* Urinary calculus
* Hernia
* Ovarian or testicular torsion
from box 13-6 & 32-1 of the Paramedic Textbook.