Abdominal Regions

The abdomen is divided into regions (Fig. 9-2). They are used to describe the location of body structures, pam, or disconfort. The regions are:

• Right upper quadrant (RUQ)

• Left upper quadrant (LUQ)

• Right lower quadrant (RLQ)

• Left lower quadrant (LIQ)

Directional Terms

Certain terms describe the position of 1 body part in relation to another. These terms give the direction of the body part when a person is standing and facing forward.

The arms are stretched out with the thumbs pointing outward. See Figure 9-3.

• Anterior (ventral) - at or toward the front of the body or body part

• Posterior (dorsal) - at or toward the back of the body or body part

• Proximal - the part nearest to the center or to the point of attachment

• Distal - the part farthest from the center or from the point of attachment

• Lateral - way from the mid-line, at the side of the body or body part

• Medial - at or near the middle or mid-line of the body or body part