Medical Terminology Simplified

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