Which organs are located in the left upper quadrant?

• A. Liver, gallbladder, right kidney
• B. Portion of liver, spleen, stomach, majority of pancreas, left kidney, portion of small intestines and colon
• C. Large intestine and transverse colon only
• D. Bladder and uterus

Answer: (B)

In the left upper quadrant, you find organs that occupy the left side of the upper abdomen. The spleen sits under the left rib cage, the stomach lies mainly in this area, and most of the pancreas is located here as well (the tail and body extend toward the left). The left kidney is also within this quadrant. The liver isn’t entirely on the right; its left lobe extends into the left upper quadrant. Portions of the small intestine and the colon also appear in this region, especially near the splenic flexure.

That’s why the option listing the liver (left portion), spleen, stomach, most of the pancreas, left kidney, and parts of the small intestine and colon best matches what’s in the left upper quadrant. The other options include organs not in this quadrant—the gallbladder and right kidney are on the opposite side, the bladder and uterus are in the lower pelvis, and a statement that only large intestine and transverse colon are present in this area isn’t accurate.