Abdominal Pelvic Divisions

Introduction

• The abdominal pelvic region can be divided into different areas for medical and anatomical purposes.
• Two main methods are used: the four abdominal pelvic quadrants and the nine abdominal pelvic regions.

Abdominal Pelvic Quadrants

• Quadrants: Divides the abdomen and pelvis into four regions using a plus sign intersecting at the umbilicus (belly button).
  • Right Upper Quadrant (RUQ)
  • Right Lower Quadrant (RLQ)
  • Left Upper Quadrant (LUQ)
  • Left Lower Quadrant (LLQ)
• Importance:
  • Commonly used in medical practice for quick reference, especially in charting and diagnosis (e.g., appendicitis, liver issues).
  • Easier to use for locating pain or injuries compared to measuring distances from belly button.
• Organ Location in Quadrants:
  • Liver: Majority in RUQ
  • Appendix: Located in RLQ
  • Stomach: Mostly in LUQ
  • Small Intestine: Spreads throughout all quadrants
  • Large Intestine: Wraps around and is present in all quadrants

Abdominal Pelvic Regions

• Regions: Divides the abdominal pelvic area into nine smaller sections using a tic-tac-toe board.
• Vertical lines: Inside to the medial of the nipples.
• Horizontal lines: Just under the ribs and above the pelvic bones.
• Names of Regions:
  • Right and Left Hypochondriac: Below the cartilage of ribs
  • Epigastric: Above the stomach
  • Right and Left Flank (Lumbar): Sides of the abdomen
  • Umbilical: Around the belly button
  • Right and Left Inguinal (Iliac): Near the inguinal crease
  • Pubic: Lower central region
• Challenges:
  • More difficult to use than quadrants due to complexity and overlap of organ locations.
  • Organs can stretch across multiple regions, making it harder to pinpoint specific issues.

Conclusion

• Quadrants are favored for their simplicity in clinical settings.
• Regions provide additional detail but can be overly complex for some applications.
• Familiarity with both methods is necessary for comprehensive understanding.