One of the first things that a medical professional is likely to ask you if you’re experiencing abdominal trouble is where the pain is located. Why is this such a common question? Because there are so many organs in the abdomen, and understanding exactly which part of it is causing you distress can help pinpoint what the contributing factors might be.
The 4 Quadrants Can Overlap When Symptoms are Present
When reading the list of the four quadrants that follow, you may notice that some body parts appear in more than one area. For example, the colon’s anatomy stretches across all four quadrants of your body. What this means is that that the pain you’re experiencing could come from an organ that is not predominantly located in that quadrant.
Explaining Your Symptoms is Important Too
Here’s a good example of why explaining your symptoms is as important as identifying their location. A woman who is suffering from an enlarged uterus may experience pain in her lower left or right quadrants because the organ is pressing against those areas in its distended condition. That’s why it’s so important that you’re able to explain to your medical professional not only where the pain is located, but the type of the pain – such as aching, shooting, throbbing, etc. — that you are experiencing, as well.
Getting to Know Your Quadrants
Your upper right quadrant:
- Gallbladder
- Liver
- Duodenum
- Upper portion of your right kidney
- Part of your colon
- Part of your pancreas
Your right lower quadrant:
- Appendix
- Right ureter
- Part of your colon
- Lower portion of your right kidney
- Right ovary (for females)
- Right fallopian tube (in females)
- Right spermatic cord (in males)
Your left upper quadrant:
- Stomach
- Pancreas
- Spleen
- Part of your liver
- Upper portion of your left kidney
- Part of your colon
Your left lower quadrant:
- Left ureter
- Part of your colon
- Lower portion of your left kidney
- Part of your colon
- Left ovary (in females)
- Left fallopian tube (in females)
- Left spermatic cord (in males)
A Final Note
Although it’s smart to understand the four quadrants of your abdomen, this should never be construed as a substitute for diagnosis and treatment from a medical professional. If you or a family member are experiencing abdominal pain and searching for a Houston emergency room or an ER near you such as a Memorial Heights ER to help manage the distress, here’s some information to help you better identify the precise area of the abdominal pain.
