Regions of the abdomen

Divisions and landmarks

The four anatomical regions of the abdomen are known as quadrants. They are separated by theoretical anatomical lines that can be traced on the abdomen using certain anatomical landmarks. The median plane is that which follows the linea alba and extends from the xiphoid process to the pubic symphysis and splits the abdomen vertically in half. The transumbilical plane is a horizontal line that runs at the level of the umbilicus. These two planes transect at the umbilicus in a cross-like form and divide the abdomen into four quarters.

Before learning everything about the regions of the abdomen, test your knowledge with our quiz:

Right upper quadrant

The right upper quadrant (RUQ), in a craniocaudal order, contains the:

• right lobe of the liver
• gallbladder
• pylorus of the stomach
• first 3 parts of duodenum
• head of the pancreas
• right kidney and the right suprarenal gland
• distal ascending colon
• hepatic flexure of the colon
• right half of the transverse colon

Right lower quadrant

The right lower quadrant (RLQ) contains the:

• majority of the ileum
• cecum and vermiform appendix
• proximal ascending colon
• proximal right ureter

Left upper quadrant

The left upper quadrant (LUQ), in a craniocaudal order, contains the: 

• left lobe of the liver
• spleen
• stomach
• jejunum
• proximal ileum
• body and the tail of the pancreas
• left kidney and the left suprarenal gland
• left half of the transverse colon
• splenic flexure of the colon
• superior part of the descending colon

Left lower quadrant

The left lower quadrant (LLQ) contains:

• distal descending colon
• sigmoid colon
• left ureter

Depending on the sex of the individual, both the left and right lower quadrants contain parts of the urinary bladder and uterus (female), as well as:

• ovary/uterine tube (female)
• ductus deferens (male)

Has this article on the regions of the abdomen made you realise that you need to review your knowledge of medical terminology? Check out our guide to basic medical terminology 101.

Divisions and landmarks

Compared to the four region scheme, the nine region scheme of the abdomen may seem more complicated. However, it can help to further localize clinical symptoms and arrive at an accurate diagnosis more quickly. There are two vertical planes and two horizontal planes that are used to separate the nine segments. The vertical planes are known as the left and right midclavicular lines. They run from the midpoint in the clavicle caudally towards the midpoint of the inguinal ligament.

The horizontal planes include the subcostal plane and the transtubercular plane. The subcostal plane runs horizontally through the lower border of the tenth costal cartilage on either side. Finally, the transtubercular plane passes through the tubercles of the iliac crest and the body of the fifth lumbar vertebra.

The right and left hypochondriac regions are found superiorly on either side of the abdomen, while the epigastric region sits between them in a central, superior position. The right and left lumbar regions surround the umbilical region, which is central and has the umbilicus as its center point. Lastly, the right and left inguinal regions are found inferiorly on either side of the hypogastric region, which is the most inferior of the central line of segments.

Each of the nine regions shall now be listed individually, running craniocaudally from left to right:

Left hypochondriac region

The left hypochondriac region contains the:

• stomach
• top of the left lobe of the liver
• left kidney
• spleen
• tail of the pancreas
• parts of the small intestine
• transverse colon
• descending colon

Learn everything about the abdominal regions with our videos, quizzes, labeled diagrams, and articles:

Right hypochondriac region

The right hypochondriac region contains the:

• liver
• gallbladder
• small intestine
• ascending colon
• transverse colon
• right kidney

Epigastric region

The epigastric region contains the:

• esophagus
• stomach
• liver
• spleen
• pancreas
• right and left kidneys
• right and left ureters
• right and left suprarenal glands
• small intestine
• transverse colon

The position of the transverse colon can differ slightly from person to person due its mobile suspension within the transverse mesocolon. It is, however, usually located between the epigastric and umbilical regions of the abdomen. 

Left lateral/lumbar region

The left lateral region contains a:

• portion of the small intestine
• part of the descending colon
• part of the left kidney

Right lateral/umbar region

The right lateral region contains the: 

• inferiormost part of the right lobe liver
• gallbladder
• small intestine
• ascending colon
• part of the right kidney

Umbilical region

The umbilical region contains the:

• stomach
• pancreas
• small intestine
• transverse colon
• medial extremities of inferior poles of the right and left kidneys
• right and left ureters
• cisterna chyli

Left inguinal region

The left inguinal region contains the:

• descending colon
• sigmoid colon
• part of the small intestine
• left ovary and the left uterine tube (female)

Right inguinal region

The right inguinal region contains the:

• small intestine
• vermiform appendix
• cecum
• ascending colon
• right ovary and right uterine tube in females.

Hypogastric region

The hypogastric region contains the:

• small intestine
• sigmoid colon
• rectum
• urinary bladder
• right and left ureters
• uterus, right and left ovaries and uterine (female)
• ductus deferens, seminal vesicles and prostate (male)