What are the three divisions of the abdomen?

September 28, 2025 •

2 min read

Anatomists and clinicians use precise methods to map the human body, with a key example being the division of the abdomen into specific areas for diagnosis and study. This guide will answer the question: What are the three divisions of the abdomen?

Quick Summary

The abdomen's nine regions are organized into three primary sections: the upper abdomen, the middle abdomen, and the lower abdomen. These main divisions provide a broad framework for pinpointing the location of internal organs, pain, or other clinical findings.

Key Points

Three Main Divisions: The abdomen is divided into upper, middle, and lower sections, encompassing nine regions.
Upper Abdomen: Includes the right hypochondriac, epigastric, and left hypochondriac regions.
Middle Abdomen: Composed of the right lumbar, umbilical, and left lumbar regions.
Lower Abdomen: Contains the right iliac, hypogastric, and left iliac regions.
Clinical Significance: These divisions aid medical diagnosis by precisely locating organs and symptoms.

Mapping the Human Abdomen: The Nine Regions

While the abdomen is often divided into four quadrants for simplicity in a clinical setting, a more detailed method divides the abdominal area into nine distinct regions. These nine regions are then organized into three main divisions: the upper, middle, and lower abdomen. This grid system, formed by two horizontal and two vertical imaginary lines, is fundamental in anatomy for precisely locating organs and potential issues.

The Upper Abdomen: Regions and Resident Organs

This uppermost division contains three regions below the diaphragm.

Right Hypochondriac Region: Includes the right lobe of the liver, gallbladder, and parts of the kidney and intestines.
Epigastric Region: Houses the stomach, left lobe of the liver, pancreas, and duodenum.
Left Hypochondriac Region: Contains the spleen, tail of the pancreas, left kidney, and parts of the stomach and colon.

The Middle Abdomen: The Central Trio

Located around the navel, the middle division has three regions crucial for understanding issues related to the intestines and kidneys.

Right Lumbar Region: Contains the ascending colon, part of the right kidney, and the right portion of the small intestine.
Umbilical Region: The central region with the navel, housing the bulk of the small intestine and parts of the transverse colon.
Left Lumbar Region: Includes the descending colon and part of the left kidney.

The Lower Abdomen: Regions of the Pelvis

This division extends into the pelvic area and is key for diagnosing conditions of the appendix, bladder, and reproductive organs.

Right Iliac Region: Contains the appendix, cecum, and the end of the ileum.
Hypogastric Region: The central lower region, or suprapubic area, houses the bladder, parts of the small intestine, and reproductive organs.
Left Iliac Region: Home to the descending colon and the sigmoid colon.

The Significance of Abdominal Division in Medicine

The detailed abdominal map allows healthcare providers to accurately diagnose conditions by pinpointing symptoms to specific regions. For instance, pain in the right iliac fossa often suggests appendicitis, while epigastric pain may indicate stomach or pancreatic issues.

Comparing the Quadrant vs. Region System

Both systems have different uses in clinical practice.


Feature	Four-Quadrant System	Nine-Region System
Primary Use	General clinical assessment	Detailed anatomical study, precise diagnostics
Reference Point	Umbilicus	Anatomical landmarks and imaginary lines
Divisions	RUQ, LUQ, RLQ, LLQ	Upper, Middle, Lower (each with 3 regions)
Level of Detail	Lower	Higher
Terminology	Simpler	More complex (e.g., hypochondriac, epigastric)

Conclusion

Understanding the three main divisions and their nine regions is vital for medical professionals. This system provides a common language for symptom localization and diagnosis, complementing the simpler four-quadrant system. For further anatomical details, explore reputable medical resources.

Visit Kenhub for more detailed anatomical illustrations and guides.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary purpose is to create a standardized map for anatomists and clinicians to precisely locate internal organs and describe areas of pain, tenderness, or abnormalities.

The four-quadrant system is a simpler, more general division used for quick clinical descriptions, while the nine-region system offers a more detailed and anatomically precise classification.

The upper division of the abdomen consists of the right hypochondriac, epigastric, and left hypochondriac regions.

The middle division, containing the right lumbar, umbilical, and left lumbar regions, houses most of the small intestine, parts of the large intestine, and the kidneys.

Pain in the lower abdominal division (which includes the right iliac, hypogastric, and left iliac regions) can suggest issues with the appendix, bladder, or reproductive organs.

The nine regions are delineated by two horizontal lines (the subcostal and transtubercular planes) and two vertical lines (the midclavicular lines), forming a grid.

While both are used, the four-quadrant system is often favored for initial patient assessment due to its simplicity, while the more detailed nine-region system is used for more precise diagnoses.