Abdominopelvic Quadrants
2–55 Because the abdomin/o/pelv/ic cavity is a large area and contains many organs,
it is useful to divide it into smaller sections. One method divides the abdomin/o/pelv/ic
cavity into quadrants. A second method divides the abdomin/o/pelv/ic cavity into
regions. Physicians and other health-care professionals use quadrants or regions as a
point of reference.
The larger division of the abdomin/o/pelv/ic cavity consists of four quadrants: right
upper quadrant (RUQ), left upper quadrant (LUQ), right lower quadrant (RLQ),
and left lower quadrant (LLQ). Locate these quadrants in Figure 2–4A.
2–56 After you have located and reviewed the quadrants, determine the meaning
of the following abbreviations.
RUQ: __________ __________ ____________________
LUQ: __________ __________ ____________________
RLQ: __________ __________ ____________________
LLQ: __________ __________ ____________________
2–57 Quadrants are useful in describing the location in the body in which a surgi-
cal procedure will be performed. They are also useful in denoting incision sites or the
location of abnormal masses such as tumors.
A tumor located in the right lower quadrant will most likely be denoted in the
medical record with the abbreviation __________.
2–58 Quadrants may also be used to describe the location of a patient’s symp-
toms. The physician may pinpoint a patient’s abdominal pain in the RLQ. Such a
finding could indicate a diagnosis of appendicitis, because the appendix is located in
that quadrant. Pain in another quadrant, such as the LLQ, would indicate a different
diagnosis.
Identify the abbreviation for the
right lower quadrant:__________
left lower quadrant:__________
2-59 Locate the quadrant that contains a major part of the stomach.
This quadrant is the __________ __________ ____________________
and its abbreviation is __________.
Abdominopelvic Regions
2–60 Whereas larger sections of the abdomin/o/pelv/ic cavity are divided into
four quadrants, the smaller sections are divided into nine regions, each of which cor-
responds to a region near a specific point in the body. As with quadrants, body region
designation is also used to describe the location of internal organs and the origin of
pain. Review Figure 2–4B to see the location of various organs within these regions.
Boldfaceindicates a word root or combining form. Blueindicates a suffix. Pinkindicates a prefix.
46 CHAPTER 2• Body Structure
right upper quadrant
left upper quadrant
right lower quadrant
left lower quadrant
RLQ
RLQ
LLQ
left upper quadrant,
LUQ