16/11/2025
ABDOMINAL PAIN🩺🥼
Abdominal pain can arise from multiple organs within the abdominal cavity (stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, kidneys, reproductive organs, etc.) or even from structures outside the abdomen (heart, lungs, spine, etc.).
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🔹 Abdominal Regions
The abdomen is divided into nine regions (plus two chronic categories):
1. Right Upper Quadrant (RUQ)
Common causes: gallbladder, liver, or biliary tract disease
Examples: biliary colic, cholecystitis, cholangitis, hepatitis
2. Epigastric Region
Pain from stomach, pancreas, or heart
Examples: peptic ulcer disease (PUD), gastritis, pancreatitis, myocardial infarction (MI)
3. Left Upper Quadrant (LUQ)
Commonly spleen-related or gastric causes
Examples: splenic infarct/rupture, gastritis, gastric ulcer, pancreatitis
4. Right Lumbar Region (Flank)
Related to kidneys or ureters
Examples: nephrolithiasis, pyelonephritis, perinephric abscess
5. Periumbilical (Central)
Often bowel-related or early appendicitis
Examples: gastroenteritis, bowel obstruction, ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)
6. Left Lumbar Region (Flank)
Similar to right lumbar, often renal causes
Examples: nephrolithiasis, pyelonephritis
7. Right Lower Quadrant (RLQ)
Commonly appendix, reproductive organs, or bowel
Examples: appendicitis, ectopic pregnancy, hernia
8. Hypogastrium (Suprapubic)
Bladder, uterus, or lower bowel-related
Examples: cystitis, urinary retention, ovarian cyst
9. Left Lower Quadrant (LLQ)
Sigmoid colon or reproductive organs
Examples: diverticulitis, ectopic pregnancy, ovarian cyst
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🔹 Chronic Pain Categories
Chronic Upper Abdominal Pain: Often due to reflux, ulcers, biliary or pancreatic disease.
Chronic Lower Abdominal Pain: Often due to IBS, endometriosis, diverticulitis, or chronic bowel conditions.
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