What Organs Are in the Right Lower Quadrant?
Organs located in the right lower quadrant (RLQ) include the ascending colon, the cecum, the right ovary and fallopian tube, the right ureter and most notably, the appendix. Pain in this region of the abdomen is most closely associated with the aforementioned organs.
According to HealthHype.com, acute, new-onset pain in the right lower quadrant could be caused by a variety of conditions. One common condition is appendicitis. The symptoms of appendicitis include sudden moderate-to-severe pain in this region worsening over time, nausea or vomiting, and sometimes a low-grade fever. Blood tests and CT scans are useful in diagnosing appendicitis. Another common cause of RLQ pain is an inguinal hernia, which is diagnosed upon physical examination by a health care provider. According to the National Institutes of Health, because female reproductive organs are also located in this quadrant, pain may be associated with ovarian cysts. Ovarian cysts occur when an ovarian follicle fails to release an egg and fluid fills this area.
Treatment of pain in this area depends largely on the root cause of the pain. Diagnostic tests may be performed to determine which organ is affected. Based on this information, a health care provider can determine the best route for treatment.
