Esophagus
Carries food from mouth to stomach
Stomach
Begins breakdown of food using acids
Small Intestine
Takes stomach contents and removes nutrients
Large Intestine (Colon)
Absorbs fluids, creating waste
Appendix
No function in digestion
Liver
Regulating levels of carbohydrate and other substances in the blood. Bile secretion for digestion of fats and detoxification of blood.
Gallbladder
Stores bile before release into intestine
Spleen
Removes abnormal blood cells and is involved in the immune response.
Pancreas
Releases enzymes that assist in breaking down food in the small intestine into absorbable molecules. It also secretes hormones into the blood that regulate blood sugar levels.
Kidneys
Filter and excrete waste. Regulate water, blood, and electrolyte levels and assist the liver with detoxification.
Bladder
Collects urine from kidney prior to urination.
Peritoneum
Membrane that lines the abdominal cavity (parietal) and covers the organs within it (visceral)
Retroperitoneal Space
Area posterior to the peritoneum, between the peritoneum and the back. Houses the kidneys, pancreas, and the aorta.
Upper Right Quadrant
Liver, Right Kidney, Gallbladder, Pancreas, Colon
Upper Left Quadrant
Liver, Left Kidney, Spleen, Pancreas, Colon, Stomach
Lower Right Quadrant
Colon, Small Intestine, Ureter, Appendix
Lower Left Quadrant
Colon, Small Intestine, Ureter
Visceral Pain
A poorly localized, dull, or diffuse pain that arises from the abdominal organs or viscera
Parietal Pain
A localized, intense pain that arises from the parietal peritoneum, the lining of the abdominal cavity.
Tearing Pain
Sharp pain that feels as if body tissues are being torn apart. Felt mainly during an expanding abdominal aortic aneurysm in the back.
Referred Pain
Pain that is felt in a location other than where the pain originates.
Appendicitis
Nausea, vomiting, pain in the RLQ
Peritonitis
Ridigity of the peritoneum due to irritation (gastric juices, bowel contents, or blood)
Cholecystitis/Gallstones
Inflammation of the gallbladder - pain the RUQ with radiation to the shoulder.
Pancreatitis
Central pain - may radiate to the back or shoulders
GI Bleeding
Coffee-ground" vomit - upper GI bleeding. Often times, no symptoms until much later presenting with symptoms of shock.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)
Gradually developing abdominal pain - tearing pain that may radiate to the back. Rupture presents with excruciating back and abdominal pain with signs of shock.
Hernia
Hole in the muscle layers of the abdominal wall - allow tissue to protrude up against the skin. Onset of pain after lifting.
Renal Colic
Kidney stones descending down the ureter - severe flank pain that radiates to the groin area.
Cardiac Involvement
Pain from myocardial infarction can be felt in the epigastric region (upper center of abdomen). Often described as indigestion.
HPI of Patient with Abdominal Complaint
Use OPQRST using more words than just pain - discomfort, pressure, bloating, cramping, etc. Ask about menstrual cycle, lateness, bleeding, pain, pregnancy.