Which quadrant is the appendix in

The abdomen can be divided into four quadrants. Dividing up the abdomen in this way can help when assessing a patient with abdominal pain. The location of the abdominal pain can give first responders a clue to the underlying problem.

Each abdominal quadrant contains different organs and has different medical conditions associated with it.

The diagram below shows the four quadrants of the abdomen.

Which quadrant is the appendix in
The Four Abdominal Quadrants

Let’s take a look at each abdominal quadrant in more detail.

Right Upper Quadrant (RUQ)

The right upper quadrant contains:

  • Part of the liver
  • Gallbladder
  • Right kidney
  • Part of the stomach
  • Part of the large bowel (colon)

A common cause of right upper quadrant pain is gallbladder problems. For example, gallstones or gallbladder infections can cause pain in the right upper quadrant.

Left Upper Quadrant (LUQ)

The left upper quadrant contains:

  • Most of the stomach
  • Spleen
  • Part of the liver
  • Left kidney
  • Main part of the pancreas
  • Small & large bowel

Right Lower Quadrant (RLQ)

The right lower quadrant contains:

  • Appendix
  • Right ovary
  • Part of the large bowel

Acute Appendicitis can cause pain in the right lower quadrant. The pain may affect the entire abdomen, before moving to (localizing) the right lower quadrant as appendicitis develops.

Ovarian pain may also cause pain in the right lower quadrant if the right ovary is affected.

Left Lower Quadrant (LLQ)

The left lower quadrant contains:

  • Left ovary
  • Part of the large bowel
  • Left ureter

Diverticulitis, inflammation of the lining of the large bowel, may cause pain in the left lower quadrant.

Ovarian pain may also cause pain in the left lower quadrant if the left ovary is affected.

The abdomen is a very busy part of the body. Since there are a lot of organs in the abdomen, one of the first thing that a medical professional is likely to ask you if you’re having abdominal trouble is where the pain is located.

To better understand your abdominal pain, learning more about where your organs live can help clarify what may be causing your pain.

Here are the four quadrants of your abdomen and some of the parts in each of them:

Right Upper Quadrant

Here are some of the organs in the right upper quadrant of your body:

  • Gallbladder
  • Liver
  • Duodenum
  • Upper portion of your right kidney
  • Part of your colon
  • Part of your pancreas

Right Lower Quadrant

In the right lower quadrant of your body, you will find:

  • Appendix
  • Right ureter
  • Part of your colon
  • Lower portion of your right kidney
  • Right ovary (for females)
  • Right fallopian tube (for females)
  • Right spermatic cord (for males)

Left Upper Quadrant

These organs are found in the left upper quadrant of your body:

  • Stomach
  • Pancreas
  • Spleen
  • Part of your liver
  • Upper portion of your left kidney
  • Part of your colon

Left Lower Quadrant

The left lower quadrant of your body is home to organs like:

  • Left ureter
  • Part of your colon
  • Lower portion of your left kidney
  • Part of your colon
  • Left ovary (for females)
  • Left fallopian tube (for females)
  • Left spermatic cord (for males)

Things to Remember About the 4 Quadrants

Looking at the lists above, you may notice that some body parts are in more than one quadrant. The colon, for example, has portions across all four quadrants of your body.

This is why it is important for you to explain to your medical professional not just where your pain is located, but the nature of the pain and any other symptoms that you are experiencing.

Another thing to keep in mind is that sometimes your pain could come from an organ that is not typically located in that quadrant. For example, if your uterus becomes enlarged, it could potentially cause pain in your lower left or right quadrants.

Having an understanding of your body can help you stay informed, but when you need treatment for your abdominal pain, it is time to go to a medical professional.

Next Steps to Treat Abdominal Pain

Even though it is smart to understand the four quadrants of your abdomen, do not take it upon yourself to make a diagnosis. It may be tempting to do some research and figure out the source of the pain yourself, but it rarely helps bring anything but confusion.

When you have abdominal pain, go to a medical professional for diagnosis and treatment options. Use your knowledge of the four quadrants to describe the location and nature of your pain, then let your doctor figure out what it is and how to help.

Make sure to follow the instructions of your medical professional and you’ll be on the path to recovery.

About Physician Partners of America

Headquartered in Tampa, Fla., Physician Partners of America (PPOA) is a fast-growing national healthcare company committed to combatting the opioid crisis through interventional pain management. Founded in 2013 with three employees, it has rapidly grown to more than 500, and manages a wide range of medical practices.

What quadrant and region is the appendix in?

Right Lower Quadrant (RLQ): contains parts of the small and large intestines, right ovary, right fallopian tube, appendix, right ureter.

Which quadrant would appendicitis be in?

Appendicitis is the most common abdominal disease that requires surgery in the emergency ward. It usually presents as right lower quadrant pain, but may rarely present as left upper quadrant (LUQ) pain due to congenital anatomical abnormalities of the intestine.

What organs are found in the 4 quadrants?

Major Organs in the Four Quadrants.
Right Upper Quadrant: Liver, stomach, gallbladder, duodenum, right kidney, pancreas, and the right adrenal gland..
Left Upper Quadrant: Liver, stomach, pancreas, left kidney, spleen, and the left adrenal gland..
Right Lower Quadrant: appendix, reproductive organs, right ureter..

Is the appendix found in the RUQ?

From there, the appendix can have a variable course, but is typically located in the right lower quadrant.