DIVISIONS OF THE ABDOMEN

Dividing the abdomen into four quadrants is one method used to describe the location of
abdominal viscera. Fill in the key below as you study the organs that are located in each quadrant.

ABDOMEN (VENTRAL VIEW)

1. Upper right quadrant

Contents:
a)
b)
c)
2. Upper left quadrant
Contents:
a)
b)
c)

3. Lower right quadrant

Contents:

a)
b)

Lower left quadrant

CLINICAL COMMENTS

Appendicitis, an inflammation of the appendix, often causes sharp pain that is localized in the
lower right quadrant of the abdomen. Initially, the infection may produce toxins that cause nausea
and vomiting.

Appendicitis often requires surgical removal of the appendix.

The peritoneum
 This is a serous sac similar to the pleura and pericardium. The peritoneum provides the serous fluid
to lubricate the organs within the abdominopelvic cavity. All abdominal organs lie outside this sac
but proyect inwar, carrying peritoneum with them. Double fold, or reflections, of peritoneum
connect the organs to the body wall or to each other and ofthen provide passageway for vessels,
nerves, and lymphatics. The serous fuid produced by this membrane is important for two reasons:
(1) it allows organs to move against each other without causing friction, and (2) it prevents fusion
of these organs to each other or the body wall.

Organs that do not need to move as they fuction are not surrounded by this membrane. They lie
behind the peritoneal sac and are, therefore, referred to as retroperitoneal.

The spleen is covered by peritoneum and is seen in the upper left quadrant near the fundus of the
stomach. It is not a digestive organ, however. It is a lymphatic structure.

Figure 35-3

SCHEMATIC REPRESENTATION OF PERITONEUM:

TRANSVERSE SECTION OF ABDOMEN (INFERIOR VIEW)

1. Mesentery (proper)- double fold of peritoneum that hold the small

intestine to the porterior abdominal wall.
2. Mesocolon-double fold of peritoneum.hold colon to the
abdominal wall.
3. Visceral peritoneum-the layer of peritoneum surrounding the
organ.
4. Parietal peritoneum- lines the abdominal wall.
Retroperitoneal organs, kidney, adrenal glands, and aorta, can be
seen posterior to this lining. Other retroperitoneal organs include
the pancreas and most of the duodenum as well as portions of the
colon.
5. Peritoneal cavity, or potential space inside the peritoneal sac and
extending from the diaphragm to the pelvic floor.
Although space does not actually exist because the organs fill it,
the visceral peritoneum surrounding each organ wold allow the
organs to be easily separated by injected fluid.