Regions and Quadrants of Abdomen

Regions and Quadrants of Abdomen

The abdominopelvic cavity is a body cavity consisting oftheabdominal cavity and the pelvic cavity.

The abdominal cavity contains digestive organs, kidneys, and the pelvic cavity contains reproductive organs and organs of excretion.

The abdominopelvic cavity is subdivided into nine regions or areas and four quadrants.

Check out what are organs in 9 abdominal regions?

The purpose of the nine region abdominal divisions is to describe regional anatomy in the abdomen, categorize abdominal organs by their location and function, or used them for anatomical studies.  

Quadrants division is usually used for describing the location or site of abdominopelvic pain, tumor, or other abnormality and helps diagnose the source of abdominal pain and determine the appropriate treatment.

How many types of body cavities are in the human body?

Regions of Abdomen Lines

An abdominopelvic cavity or abdominal region may be divided into nine regions to describe the location of organs, easily by drawing four imaginary lines by two vertical lines and two horizontal lines.

1. Two Vertical Lines

Left and Right Midclavicular lines

These are drawn downward from the centers of the collar bones (midpoint of the clavicle) just medial to the nipples.

2. Two Horizontal Lines 

a. Subcostal line 

This line is drawn at the lower edge of the rib cage.

b. Transtubercular line

This line is placed at the upper edge of the hipbones.

Regions of abdomen divided into –

1. Upper Abdomen

2. Middle Abdomen, and

3. Lower Abdomen

9 Regions of Abdomen

A. Upper Abdomen (Upper “3”)

The upper three regions of the abdomen are-

1. Right hypochondriac region

2. Epigastric region

3. Left hypochondriac region

B. Middle Abdomen (Middle “3”)

The middle three regions of the abdomen are-

4. Right lumber region

5. Umbilical region

6. Left Lumber region

C. Lower Abdomen (Lower “3”)

The lower three regions of the abdomen are:

7. Right iliac region (right inguinal)

8. Hypogastric (pubic) region

9. Left iliac region (left inguinal)

4 Quadrants of Abdomen

The abdomen is divided into four Quadrants by drawing two lines- a horizontal line and a vertical line are passed through the Umbilicus (navel).

Four Quadrants of Abdomen are-

1. Right Upper and Left Upper Quadrants

2. Right Lower and Left Lower Quadrants







Abdominopelvic regions and quadrants help clinicians determine, which organs and tissues, and sites are involved in a disease based on which regions experience pain.

Check out here what is the anatomical position of the human body and directional terms?

Pelvic Cavity

The pelvic cavity is a funnel-shaped space surrounded by pelvic bones. It holds the reproductive organs, urinary bladder, rectum, and anal canal.