Quadrant ( abdomen ) - wikipedia Quadrant ( abdomen ) Quadrants of the abdomen The human abdomen is divided into regions by anatomists and physicians for purposes of study, diagnosis, and therapy. In the four - region scheme, four quadrants allow localisation of pain and tenderness, scars, lumps, and other items of interest, narrowing in on which organs and tissues may be involved. The quadrants are referred to as the left lower quadrant, left upper quadrant, right upper quadrant and right lower quadrant, as follows below. These terms are not used in comparative anatomy, since most other animals do not stand erect. The left lower quadrant ( LLQ ) of the human abdomen is the area left of the midline and below the umbilicus. The LLQ includes the left iliac fossa and half of the left flank region. The equivalent term for animals is left posterior quadrant. The left upper quadrant ( LUQ ) extends from the median plane to the left of the patient, and from the umbilical plane to the left ribcage. The equivalent term for animals is left anterior quadrant. The right upper quadrant ( RUQ ) extends from the median plane to the right of the patient, and from the umbilical plane to the right ribcage. The equivalent term for animals is right anterior quadrant. The right lower quadrant ( RLQ ) extends from the median plane to the right of the patient, and from the umbilical plane to the right inguinal ligament. The equivalent term for animals is right posterior quadrant. Contents 1 Important organs 2 Clinical significance 2.1 Differential diagnosis 3 See also 4 References Important organs Diagram showing which organs ( or parts of organs ) are in each quadrant of the abdomen Left lower quadrant : Descending colon Sigmoid colon Left ovary and Fallopian tube Left ureter Left upper quadrant : Stomach Spleen Left lobe of liver Body of pancreas Left kidney and adrenal gland Splenic flexure of colon Parts of transverse and descending colon Right upper quadrant : Liver Gall bladder with biliary tree Duodenum Head of pancreas Right kidney and adrenal gland Hepatic flexure of colon Right lower quadrant : Cecum Appendix Ascending Colon Right ovary and Fallopian tube Right ureter Clinical significance If abdominal pain or signs of peritonitis are localised in the LLQ, colitis, diverticulitis, ureteral colic or pain due to ovarian cysts or pelvic inflammatory disease may be suspected. Examples of tumors in the left lower quadrant include colon cancer and ovarian tumor. The LUQ may be painful or tender in the case of intestinal malrotation. The RUQ may be painful or tender in hepatitis, cholecystitis, and peptic ulcer. The RLQ may be painful and / or tender in such conditions as appendicitis. Differential diagnosis Children gastroenteritis, mesenteric adenitis, Meckel 's diverticulitis, intussusception, Henoch -- Schönlein purpura, lobar pneumonia Adults regional enteritis, renal colic, perforated peptic ulcer, testicular torsion, rectus sheath hematoma, pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, endometriosis, torsion / rupture of ovarian cyst, appendicitis Elderly diverticulitis, intestinal obstruction, colonic carcinoma, mesenteric ischemia, leaking aortic aneurysm See also Murphy 's sign McBurney 's point Superficial anatomy Surface axial anatomy and general regions Head Nasolabial fold Neck Triangles : Anterior Muscular Carotid Submandibular Submental Posterior Occipital Subclavian Suboccipital Supraclavicular fossa Thorax Triangle of auscultation Clavipectoral triangle Inframammary fold Infraclavicular fossa Abdomen / pelvis regions Epigastrium Hypochondrium Umbilical region Flank Hypogastrium Inguinal region quadrants RUQ LUQ RLQ LLQ Lap Lumbar triangle McBurney 's point Desjardins ' point Traube 's space Perineal Anal triangle Urogenital triangle General anatomy : systems and organs, regional anatomy, planes and lines, superficial axial anatomy, superficial anatomy of limbs References Jump up ^ Elsevier, Dorland 's Illustrated Medical Dictionary, Elsevier. Jump up ^ Wolters Kluwer, Stedman 's Medical Dictionary, Wolters Kluwer. Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Quadrant_(abdomen)&oldid=742786347 '' Categories : Abdomen Talk Contents About Wikipedia Edit links This page was last edited on 5 October 2016, at 19 : 46 ( UTC ). Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution - ShareAlike License ; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia ® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization. About Wikipedia

Question: the left lower quadrant of the abdomen contains part of the
Answer: Descending colon