What causes GI abdominal pain ? 

Abdominal pain can occur anywhere between your chest and your groin

. The pain could be generalized, localized, or even resemble stomachaches.

 If you experience gas, bloating, or constipation, your stomach may be painful or cramping. 

Colonoscopy and endoscopy can be used in the assessment of abdominal pain

 Doctors will often recommend endoscopy to evaluate:

 ● Stomach pain

 ● Ulcers, gastritis, or difficulty swallowing

 ● Digestive tract bleeding

 ● alterations to bowel habits 

● Polyps or growths in the colon 

In addition, your doctor might perform a biopsy (tissue removal) using an endoscope to check for the presence of disease.

 A digestive system issue may also be treated using endoscopy. For instance, the endoscope may be able to stop bleeding by passing devices through it in addition to detecting any active bleeding from an ulcer. Polyps in the colon can be removed with a scope to stop colon cancer from growing. 

Major Organs in the Four Quadrants 

The following significant organs can be found in each of the four abdominal quadrants: 

● Right Upper Quadrant: right adrenal gland, pancreas, right kidney, duodenum, liver, stomach, gallbladder, and stomach.

 ● Left Upper Quadrant: stomach, left kidney, spleen, pancreas, liver, and left adrenal gland 

● Right Lower Quadrant: reproductive system, right ureter, and appendix. 

● Left Lower Quadrant: reproductive system, left ureter 

The Nine Abdominal Regions 

The two parasagittal planes that cross the middle of the clavicle bones, also known as the midclavicular planes, and two horizontal (transverse) planes are used by the nine abdominal regions to further split the belly into smaller portions. 

The subcostal plane, also known as the superior transverse plane, is situated immediately below the ribs. The intertubercular plane, which is the inferior transverse plane and runs immediately below the navel, intersects the pelvic tubercles. 

Let's start with the right and left columns because they are named after the bones to which they are closest and share the same exact name (differentiated by a left or right prefix). Remember that learning common prefixes and suffixes is a great study tip for anatomy because they will come in handy repeatedly. 

Hypochondriac Regions (Left and Right): 

"Hypo" is a prefix that implies beneath or under. The term "chondriac" refers to the cartilage in the ribs and implies "cartilage." This is the area of the abdomen that is behind the ribs when we combine them. Boom. Easy. Consequently, you have a right and a left hypochondrium. 

Lumbar Regions (Left and Right): 

The lower back vertebrae, which are the bones closest to the lumbar area, are referred to as lumbar. 

Iliac Region (Left and Right): 

The bone that is closest to the iliac region is the hip bone, which has what is known as the iliac crest on top. 

The left and right columns are now resolved. Let's now examine the middle column's abdominal areas. These regions are named based on their position in relation to the stomach rather than the bones, in contrast to the regions on the left and right side columns.

 Epigastric Region: 

Epi indicates over or over, while gastric refers to the stomach or belly. As a result, this refers to the area above and above the belly button. 

Umbilical Region: 

Your navel, also known as the umbilicus, is located in the umbilical region, making this concept simple to recall. The umbilical region makes up the centre of the nine abdominal regions, and the navel serves as a landmark for the intersection of the four quadrants. 

Hypogastric Region: 

As we already know, gastric refers to the stomach or belly, and hypo means "below." Thus, when we combine the two, we can conclude that the hypogastric region refers to the area below the abdomen.

 Organs in the Nine Abdominal Regions : 

Let's now examine some of the main organs that can be found in each area. Most basic anatomy lecturers won't likely demand that you recall a list of the organs found in each region; instead, focus on learning where the organs are generally located. 

1. Right Hypochondriac Region: Organs like the liver, gallbladder, right kidney, and parts of the small and big integuments are present. 

2. The Right hypochondrain region contains : 

a. Gallstone disease

 b. Acute cholecystitis 

c. Choledocholithiasis

 d. Acute cholangitis

 e. Acute hepatitis

 f. Liver abscess

 g. Biliary colic

3. Epigastric Region: In addition to the stomach, pancreas, duodenum, spleen, and adrenal glands, this area also houses parts of the liver. The Epigastric region contains 

a. GERD 

b. Functional dyspepsia 

c. Acute pancreatitis

 d. Duodenal ulcer 

e. Gastric ulcer

 f. Acute gastritis 

4. Left Hypochondriac Region: Along with the tip of the liver, this also houses the spleen, big and small intestines, left kidney, pancreas, and stomach. 

The left hypochondriac region contain a. Colitis 

5. Right Lumbar Region: This area contains pieces of the right kidney, small intestine, and ascending colon.

 The Right lumbar region contains : a. Colitis 

6. Umbilical Region: The transverse colon, small intestine, and duodenum are all. 

The Umbilical region contains : a. Acute gastroenteritis b. Bowel obstruction c. Irritable bowel syndrome 

7. Left Lumbar Region: This area contains a portion of the left kidney, small intestine, and descending colon. 

The Left lumbar region contains : a. colitis 

8. Right Iliac Region: These include the small intestine, cecum, ascending colon, and appendix. The right iliac area includes : 

a. Acute appendicitis

 b. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) Crohn’s disease c. Strangulated hernia 

9. Hypogastric Region: This area houses the bladder, a piece of the sigmoid colon, the small intestine, and the reproductive organs. 

The Hypogastrium region contains : a. IBD

10. Left Iliac Region: This area contains pieces of the sigmoid colon, descending colon, and small intestine.

 The Left iliac region contains: a. Acute diverticulitis

 b. Inguinal hernia (strangulated hernia)

 c. Acute appendicitis 

Advantages of imaging (Upper GI endoscopy, sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy) vs without

 1. Real-time visualization helps in ruling in and out differential diagnoses. 

2. Once diagnosis is confirmed, an appropriate treatment plan can be given. 

3. If intervention is required, it can be appropriately planned and instituted. 

4. Time-efficient for patient and doctor. 

Endoscopy - 

An endoscopy is a noninvasive procedure that is used to view within a person's digestive tract. An endoscope is a flexible tube with a light and camera on it that your doctor uses to view pictures of your digestive system on a color TV. 

During an upper endoscopy, an endoscope is easily introduced into the esophagus so the physician may observe the esophagus, stomach, and upper part of the small intestine. 

Colonoscopy - 

Similar to this, endoscopes can also be inserted from the rectum into the colon to examine the large intestine. This procedure is known as a sigmoidoscopy or a colonoscopy, depending on how far up the colon is examined.

Conclusion : 

Always see your doctor if your pain is unexplained, persistent or severe, or if you have been injured or are pregnant. Also, see your doctor if your pain is accompanied by any of these symptoms: 

● Persistent fever. 

● Persistent nausea or vomiting. 

● Blood in your stools, urine or vomit.

 ● Swelling and tenderness to the touch.

 ● Jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin). 

● Pain in any other part of your body.

 ● Shortness of breath or symptoms that get worse with exertio