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Due to the size of the abdominopelvic cavity, it is separated into regions and quadrants. These divisions are listed below along with illustrations of them in Images 3 and 4. Take time to locate these in the images and be ready for recall in the lesson quiz.
Image 3: Abdominopelvic Regions
Abdominopelvic Regions:
- Umbilical region– center-most region (belly button)
- Epigastric region– superior to the umbilical region (above belly)
- Hypogastric region– inferior to the umbilical region (pubic area)
- Right iliac (inguinal region)-located lateral to the hypogastric region
- Left iliac (inguinal region)-located lateral to the hypogastric region
- Right lumbar region– lateral to the umbilical region
- Left lumbar region– lateral to the umbilical region
- Right hypochondriac region– lateral to the epigastric region
- Left hypochondriac region– lateral to the epigastric region
Image 4: Abdominopelvic Quadrants
Abdominopelvic Quadrants:
- Right upper quadrant (RUQ)
- Left upper quadrant (LUQ)
- Right lower quadrant (RLQ)
- Left lower quadrant (LLQ)
Note the specific quadrants and regions each of the following organs of the body are found:
- stomach – epigastric region and the LUQ
- heart – epigastric region and RUQ/LUQ
- liver – right hypochondriac/epigastric regions and RUQ
- bladder – hypogastric region and RLQ/LLQ
- intestines – multiple regions and quadrants
Check for understanding:
-Can you name the 9 abdominopelvic regions in this diagram?
-If you were having pain in your LUQ, what organ might be the origin of the pain?
-In what region is the bladder located?
