LUQ
Medical abbreviation · Anatomy
| Stands for | Left upper quadrant |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
LUQ stands for Left upper quadrant, an anatomy abbreviation.
Upper left region of the abdomen containing the stomach, spleen, body and tail of the pancreas, left kidney and splenic flexure of the colon. LUQ findings include splenic enlargement or injury, gastritis, pancreatitis and left kidney problems.
Example: LUQ tenderness and left shoulder pain after the bike crash: concern for splenic injury, CT ordered.
Usage notes
Pain referred to the left shoulder from blood irritating the diaphragm after splenic rupture is called Kehr sign. A palpable spleen tip in the LUQ usually means splenomegaly, because a normal spleen sits hidden under the ribs. The splenic flexure is a watershed zone of colonic blood supply prone to ischemia.
Related abbreviations
More anatomy abbreviations
- L4-L5 – Fourth and fifth lumbar vertebrae (intervertebral level)
- L5-S1 – Fifth lumbar and first sacral vertebrae (lumbosacral junction)
- LCL – Lateral collateral ligament
- LE – Lower extremity
- LLQ – Left lower quadrant
- LN – Lymph node
- MAL – Midaxillary line
- MCA – Middle cerebral artery
- MCL – Medial collateral ligament
- MCP – Metacarpophalangeal (joint)
- MSK – Musculoskeletal
- MTP – Metatarsophalangeal (joint)
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This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.