In females, the uterus and ovaries are also grouped in this category.
Liver: The liver is both the largest internal organ and the largest gland in the human body. It performs a
wide range of functions including detoxification, protein synthesis, and production of biochemical
necessary for digestion.
Spleen: the spleen is similar in structure to a large lymph node, and functions as part of the immune
system by attacking foreign antibodies and diseases. It also filters old and dying red blood cells, holds a
reserve of blood, and recycles iron.
Pancreas: the pancreas produces important hormones including insulin, Glucagon, somatostatin, and
pancreatic polypeptide which circulates in the blood. In addition, the pancreas secrets pancreatic juice
containing digestive enzymes that assist in the breakdown and absorption of nutrients in the small
intestines.
Kidneys: the kidneys function as an essential part of the urinary system by sifting out waste and extra
water from the blood. These are excreted by the kidneys as urine, which flows through the ureter and
empties into the urinary bladder.
Stomach: inside the stomach, a rounded and highly elastic organ, food is churned by muscular
contractions. Digestive enzymes and hydrochloric acid secreted by the stomach assist in the breakdown
of food.
Gallbladder: the gallbladder stores and concentrates bile produced by the liver. When food enters the
digestive tract, the gallbladder releases bile into the small intestine where it aids in the digestion of
lipids. The removal of the gallbladder, in most cases, has little to no effect on the body's functioning.
Small intestine: the majority of digestion and absorption occurs in the small intestine, where bile and
pancreatic juices work to breakdown food the small intestine is divided into the duodenum, the
jejunum, and the ileum
Colon: the colon or large intestine has four parts: ascending, transfers, descending, and sigmoid.
Throughout the colon, water, salt, and some nutrients are removed from digested food. This results in
the formation of stool, which is moved through the colon by strong muscle contraction.
Bladder: the bladder is an elastic, muscular sack that stores urine excreted by the kidneys. When the
muscles of the bladder contract, urine is passed into the urethra before exiting the body.
Aorta: both solid and hollow viscera rely heavily on oxygenated blood supplies by the abdominal aorta,
which descends through the abdominal cavity, just left of the midline along the posterior abdominal
wall.
The abdominal quadrants are formed by a horizontal line and a vertical line crossing at the Umbilicus.
Dividing the abdomen into quadrants helps visualize and describe the location of internal structures.
RLQ
The right lower quadrant (RLQ) contains the appendix, right uterus,
and part of the ascending colon. In females, it contains the right
ovary and fallopian tube. in males, it contains the right spermatic
cord.
RUQ
The right upper quadrant (RUQ ) contains the liver, gallbladder,
duodenum, head of the pancreas, right kidney, and sections of the
large intestine including the ascending and transverse colon.
LUQ
The left upper quadrant (LUQ ) contains the stomach, spleen, left
lobe of the liver, body of the pancreas, left kidney, and secretions of
the large intestine including the transverse and descending colon.
LLQ
The left lower quadrant (LLQ) contains the left ureter, sigmoid
colon, and part of the descending colon. in females, it contains the
left ovary and fallopian tube. In males it contains the left spermatic
cord.