Common Causes
The spleen is located between the stomach and the diaphragm, on the left side of the body. It is shaped like a fist and its main function is to clean blood, combat infection and get rid of old red blood cells.
Related Conditions
Your doctor may recommend this test if you have a problem in any of these body areas:
- Blood vessels in the abdomen
- Gallbladder
- Intestines
- Kidneys
- Liver
- Pancreas
- Spleen
What organ is on the lower left side of the body?
What organ is lower left quadrant? Organs found in this quadrant include the sigmoid colon, and the left ovary and Fallopian tube in women. Beside this, what organs are on your lower left side? The lower left side of your abdomen is home to the last part of your colon, and for some women, the left ovary.
What organs are in the lower abdomen?
What organs are in the left upper quadrant quizlet?
- left lobe of liver. Location.
- stomach. Location.
- spleen. Location.
- kidney. Location.
- pancreas. Location.
- descending colon. Location.
- transverse colon. Location.
What organ is lower left quadrant?
What organs are in the upper left quadrant?
What causes pain upper left abdomen?
Pain in the upper left abdomen can be caused by a stomach ulcer, acute gastritis, a viral infection, or indigestion. But it may be an issue with your lungs, like pneumonia. If symptoms persist, talk to your doctor.
What organ is upper left front abdomen?
The upper left side of your abdomen is home to several of your major internal organs. Your spleen and a large portion of your stomach reside in the upper left side of your abdomen, as well as portions of your pancreas, left kidney, your large colon, and your liver.
What is pain in upper left quadrant below the rib cage?
Pain in the upper left abdomen can indicate a problem with the spleen. The spleen can become enlarged due to infections or certain conditions, such as liver disease or rheumatoid arthritis. Symptoms of an enlarged spleen include: feeling full soon after eating small amounts.
Where is the pain of pancreatitis felt?
The main symptom of pancreatitis is pain felt in the upper left side or middle of the abdomen. The pain: May be worse within minutes after eating or drinking at first, more commonly if foods have a high fat content. Becomes constant and more severe, lasting for several days.
What are the warning signs of pancreatitis?
SymptomsUpper abdominal pain.Abdominal pain that radiates to your back.Tenderness when touching the abdomen.Fever.Rapid pulse.Nausea.Vomiting.
When should I worry about upper left side pain?
When to see a doctor. As you can see, the cause of upper left abdominal pain varies significantly and may be from something as minor as heartburn. However, if the pain is new, persistent, and severe, you should visit your doctor.
Should I go to the ER for upper left abdominal pain?
If the abdominal pain is severe and unrelenting, your stomach is tender to the touch, or if the pain extends to your back, you should immediately visit the closest emergency department.
Can gallbladder cause pain in upper left abdomen?
Therefore, pain related to gall bladder pathologies in left upper quadrant could usually be in the left upper quadrant and epigastrium, moreover it could also be felt in the right upper quadrant where it normally takes place.
What does spleen pain feel like?
Spleen pain is usually felt as a pain behind your left ribs. It may be tender when you touch the area. This can be a sign of a damaged, ruptured or enlarged spleen.
What triggers pancreatitis?
Pancreatitis is the redness and swelling (inflammation) of the pancreas. It may be sudden (acute) or ongoing (chronic). The most common causes are alcohol abuse and lumps of solid material (gallstones) in the gallbladder. The goal for treatment is to rest the pancreas and let it heal.
What are the symptoms of your pancreas not working properly?
EPI causes problems in how your body digests food. Your pancreas does not make adequate amounts of the enzymes that your body needs to break down starches, proteins, fats…and even some vitamins from foods you eat. You may lose weight, have abnormal stools, and have pain in your belly.
What foods trigger pancreatitis?
Fried or heavily processed foods, like french fries and fast-food hamburgers, are some of the worst offenders. Organ meats, full-fat dairy, potato chips, and mayonnaise also top the list of foods to limit. Cooked or deep-fried foods might trigger a flare-up of pancreatitis.
What organs are in the left upper quadrant?
Follow Us: The organs found in the left upper quadrant are the left sections of the liver and kidney, adrenal gland, spleen, stomach, pancreas, colon's splenic flexure and lower portion of the colon.
Where is the appendix located?
Because the appendix is located in the right lower quadrant, pain and tenderness in this area may be symptoms of appendicitis, states New Health Guide. ADVERTISEMENT.
What is the pain on the left side of the chest?
Costochondritis occurs when the cartilage that connects your rib cage to your breastbone becomes inflamed. It can have symptoms that are similar to a heart attack. The symptoms of costochondritis include the following: pain on the left side of your chest. pain that’s sharp, feels like pressure, or feels achy.
Where is the appendix located?
Appendicitis occurs when your appendix is inflamed. Although the appendix isn’t located in the upper left abdomen, in rare cases, it can cause pain in the area. The symptoms may include: abdominal pain that’s usually in the lower right quadrant. abdomen being tender to the touch.
What is the most common cause of abdominal pain in children?
Constipation occurs when you have fewer than three bowel movements per week or have stools that are hard and difficult to pass. Constipation is the most common. Trusted Source. cause of abdominal pain in children.
What is the name of the condition that causes abdominal pain and cramping?
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic condition involving a group of intestinal symptoms that typically occur together. The symptoms vary in severity and duration from person to person. Symptoms include: abdominal pain or cramping, usually with diarrhea or constipation.
Why does my left side hurt under my ribs?
Pain in your upper left abdomen under your ribs can have a variety of causes. This is because there are several important organs in this area, including the: spleen. kidney. pancreas. stomach. colon. lung. Although the heart isn’t in the upper left abdomen, it can refer pain to the area.
What are the symptoms of bowel disease?
Symptoms of IBD may include: exhaustion or fatigue. fever. cramping and pain in your abdomen. diarrhea.
What side of the stomach does the leaflet look at?
This leaflet looks at pains which can develop in the upper part of the tummy (abdomen) on your left hand side. It deals with possible causes (such as stomach ulcers or pancreatitis ), how a diagnosis might be made and what the treatment might be.
Where is the pain in the upper tummy?
The pain is usually in the centre of the upper part of your tummy, but can be felt on the left. In acute pancreatitis there is usually also a fever and you may feel very unwell in yourself. Cancers of the pancreas can also cause upper tummy pain.
What causes pain in the middle of the stomach?
For example: Stomach ulcers. Stomach ulcers tend to give you pain in the middle of your tummy just under your ribs.
What is the left upper quadrant?
The left upper quadrant (LUQ) is a section of your tummy (abdomen). Look down at your tummy, and mentally divide the area from the bottom of your ribs down to your pubes into four quarters. The quarter on your left side closest to your ribs is your LUQ.
Why does my stomach hurt when I have diverticulitis?
It usually comes with a temperature and an altered bowel habit. Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. These are long-term conditions which can cause pain anywhere in the tummy at times.
Why does my stomach hurt when I'm pregnant?
However, in pregnancy a common cause of discomfort is the sheer pressure of the womb pressing on other organs, and pressing them into the diaphragm. Also problems with indigestion tend to be common in pregnancy, again at least partly due to the pressure on the stomach.
Where is the spleen located?
Your spleen is just behind your stomach, under and behind the lower ribs on your left. Its main functions are to filter your blood, create new blood cells and store platelets. It is also a key part of your body's immune system. It may cause pain:
Where is the pain in the upper left abdomen?
The pain and tenderness you may be experiencing can likely be described by the following details: Location: It will likely be beneath the lower edge of the rib cage, on the left side. Sensitive: The pain will be evident on palpation (pressing) of the left upper abdomen.
What is the pain in the left side of the abdomen called?
Left adrenal gland. Upper left sections of the large intestine. Pain in the upper left abdomen is also called pain in the left upper quadrant, pain under the left ribcage, or pain in the left hypochondrium.
What is the name of the test for upper abdominal pain?
If the symptoms began suddenly, laboratory tests on blood, breath, and stool may be ordered. Upper endoscopy or abdominal x-ray may be done.
How to treat a stomach ache?
Treatment involves pain management through both medication and surgical procedures. Lifestyle improvements through diet, exercise, and stress management can also be very helpful. Top Symptoms: fatigue, abdominal pain (stomach ache), nausea or vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal pain that comes and goes.
What is the pain of eating on an empty stomach?
Stomach ulcer. A peptic ulcer is a sore in the lining of the stomach or the first part of your small intestine (the duodenum), which causes pain following meals or on an empty stomach. Rarity: Uncommon. Top Symptoms: fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, moderate abdominal pain, abdominal cramps (stomach cramps)
How many quadrants are there in the abdomen?
Are you experiencing pain in your upper left abdomen? The abdomen can be separated into four quadrants, making it easier to pinpoint the source of your pain. However, it's quite likely that it will resolve on its own.
Why does my left side hurt?
Cancer. Cancer is considered a rare cause of pain in the upper left abdomen. Localized tumor: A cancerous growth anywhere in the left upper quadrant can cause pain. There may or may not be a lump in the vicinity of the pain.
What quadrant of the abdomen is the pain?
Since so much of your abdominal organs and muscles are found in the upper left quadrant of the abdomen, there are many conditions and injuries that can cause abdominal pain to be experienced there. Here you will find information on the most common causes found.
Why does my left side of my abdomen hurt?
Upper left abdominal pain is accompanied by fever, chills and vomiting. Do not confuse kidney infections with kidney stones as their causes are different and treatments will vary. Pneumonia is another common reason for abdominal pain and is caused by a virus, bacteria or fungus.
How long does abdominal pain last?
Your abdominal pain can be acute and short lived. However, there are many cases in which abdominal pain is chronic, lasting for days, weeks or even months. Hopefully, if you are experiencing chronic abdominal ...
Where is the pain in the upper left quadrant?
There are many organs in your upper left abdominal quadrant that can be affected, causing pain in that area. Treatment for LUQ pain depends on cause. Abdominal pain occurs in the area between your chest and your pelvis, and is something that everyone has experienced. It can be as simple as a little tummy ache to more severe medical conditions ...
What does it mean when your left side hurts?
Pain in the upper left side of your abdomen, often referred to as upper left quadrant pain, is usually indicative of something wrong with the organs and/or tissue structures located on that area of the torso. Part of your bowel, your spleen, the end part of the pancreas, part of the stomach, the left part of your liver, ...
What is the best way to diagnose abdominal pain?
Physical exams, x-rays or CT scans are the most effective methods to diagnose the cause of your abdominal pain. Blood and urine tests may also be done for diagnosis purposes. Your treatments will depend primarily on the cause for your abdominal pain.
What causes stomach pain?
Also known as the stomach flu, this inflammation of the stomach is caused by a virus or bacterial infection. Viral germs as well as contaminated food and water are often the culprits here. Common symptoms other than abdominal pain include nausea, vomiting, dehydration, diarrhea and a loss of appetite.
What organs are under the ribs?
On the left side of the body, these organs include the: heart. left lung. spleen. left kidney. pancreas. stomach. Below, we discuss 10 possible causes of upper left abdominal pain under the ribs and explain when a person with this symptom should see a doctor. 1.
What causes pain in the upper left side of the stomach?
8. Kidney infection. An infection of the left kidney can cause pain in the upper left abdomen.
What is the umbrella term for conditions that involve chronic inflammation of the GI tract?
2. Inflammatory bowel disease. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is the umbrella term for conditions that involve chronic inflammation of the GI tract. The most common types of IBD are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Why does my left side hurt under my ribs?
Pain or tenderness in the left side of the upper abdomen under the ribs can result from a broken rib or any of a variety of conditions that affect the nearby organs. People may also experience pain in their chest or back.
How do you know if you have abdominal pain?
See the doctor right away if any of the following symptoms accompany the abdomen pain: weakness. black, tar-like stools. blood in the stools, urine, or vomit. A person who experiences chest pain and shortness of breath, dizziness, or a fever should seek immediate medical care.
What is the inflammation of the cartilage that connects the ribs to the breastbone?
Costochondritis is inflammation of the cartilage that connects the ribs to the breastbone. A person may feel pain in the chest that worsens during a deep breath or while taking part in physical activity.
What is the name of the organ that is located under the abdomen?
There is a list of organs present in large intestines which includes colon, rectum and cecum . The cecum basically starts from the right lower side.
What are the organs on the left side of the body?
In higher animals, organs are grouped into organ systems; for example, the esophagus, stomach, and liver are organs of the digestive system.
What organs secrete estrogen and progesterone?
The sex hormones of female such as estrogen and progesterone are secreted by the almond shaped organs called ovaries . The production of egg also depends on the proper functioning of ovaries. Turns are taken by the ovaries of both sides every month for egg release.
What organ controls water distribution?
It also controls and assists water distribution throughout the body. A weak spleen can cause water retention in certain areas of the body as well as weak immune system. Pancreas. Pancreas, a vital digestive gland found at the back of stomach.
What is the position of the heart?
The exact position of heart is marginally toward the breastbone of the left side. Both the sides of heart are separated by a solid wall known as septal wall. Each side contains 2 chambers from which the upper ones are called atria and lower ones are ventricles. The atria are smaller in size than ventricles and are used to hold the blood before transferring to the ventricles. The atrium and ventricle of left side are thicker than the right side.
Which is smaller, the atria or the ventricle?
The atria are smaller in size than ventricles and are used to hold the blood before transferring to the ventricles. The atrium and ventricle of left side are thicker than the right side. The area that loads up the food we eat in the digestive system is called stomach.
Why is the left kidney higher than the right?
The left kidney is positioned slightly higher than the right one because the right kidney is pressed downwards by the liver. The size of left kidney is almost the size of a fist. At the top of the kidney sit adrenal or suprarenal glands. The adrenal glands of left and right side differ in size and shape.
What causes pain in the upper left side of the abdomen?
Cancer. Tumors in organs located in the upper left abdominal region may also cause pain. Your doctor is the best person to help you determine the cause of your pain and make a diagnosis. This list is in no way exhaustive, and there may be other conditions that cause you pain or otherwise affect the upper left side of your abdomen.
Why does my left upper abdomen hurt?
Pancreatitis patients may feel pain in the left or right upper abdomen, as well as pain radiating to the back. Heavy alcohol use and gallstones are the most common reasons one develops pancreatitis.
How to tell if you have pain in your left side?
Signs of pain in the upper left abdominal area can include: Tenderness near the left portion of your rib cage. Burning feeling in the chest area. Stabbing sensation under the left rib cage. Discomfort when lying down.
What side of the abdomen does it hurt when you eat?
The most common symptoms are feeling full quickly during meals, or discomfort and pain on the upper left side of the abdomen. This pain may also spread to your left shoulder. Although the spleen is a small organ, it has several important functions including immune system defense and storing red blood cells .
Why does my left side hurt?
Pain in the upper left abdomen can be severe. It can be caused by a range of issues, most commonly stomach problems or conditions that affect the internal organs in that area. The upper left side of your abdomen is home to several of your major internal organs. Your spleen and a large portion of your stomach reside in the upper left side ...
What is the purpose of abdominal examination?
Your doctor will conduct an abdominal examination to check your internal organs, mainly your spleen. They will probe your upper left abdominal area to find the source of your pain.
What is the name of the organ that produces hormones that help your body regulate sugar and enzymes needed for digestion?
Pancreatitis. The pancreas is a medium-sized organ located in the upper abdomen. It produces hormones that help your body regulate sugar and enzymes needed for digestion. Pancreatitis happens when those enzymes become activated while still in the pancreas , causing inflammation.
Which side of the body is the stomach located?
But at the point of the stomach, the gut moves to the left side of the axis. So, the stomach is positioned to the left of the body in the abdomen.
What side of the body are the organs?
Organs on Left Side of Body with Pictures. Organs on the left side of the body are those organized towards the left of the body axis. The human body, when divided into two halves along the vertical axis, the organs can be found distributed on the left and right hands side of the column. To the left of the vertebral column, ...
Where are the adrenal glands located?
There are a pair of adrenal glands, each located on a kidney. One of them is found on top of the left kidney. This gland releases adrenaline, a neurotransmitter and also corticosteroid hormones. The corticosteroids include glucocorticoidsand mineralocorticoids.
Which organ controls blood glucose levels?
Pancreas. This is the organ present near the stomach. The pancreasact s as both an endocrine andexocrine gland. By its exocrine function, it helps in digestion by the release of digestive enzymes. By its endocrine function, it controls blood glucose levels.
Where is the kidney located?
Kidney. As we know, there is a pair of kidneys in our body. One is located on the left side of the vertebral column in the hip region. The other is on the right side. This is connected to the urinary bladder through the left ureter.
Which part of the respiratory system is the lung?
Lung. These are a pair of balloon-like structures with air in them. One is located on the left side and is part of the respiratory system. It helps in the exchange of gasses in the body from the air.
What organ is responsible for the destruction of blood cells?
Spleen. This is an organ of the immune system. It performs functions like the formation and destruction of blood cells, blood storage. Old red blood cells are mostly destroyed here after 120 days of their lifespan.
