Diverticulitis commonly presents with pain localized to which quadrant?

Diverticulitis commonly presents with pain localized to which quadrant?

• A. Upper left quadrant
• B. Lower left quadrant
• C. Upper right quadrant
• D. Lower right quadrant

Answer: (B)

Diverticulitis inflames diverticula most often in the sigmoid colon, which sits in the lower left part of the abdomen. That’s why the pain is typically localized to the lower left quadrant, often with tenderness in that area on exam. If the pain showed up in another quadrant, it would suggest involvement of different organs or locations, whereas the sigmoid colon’s position makes LLQ the classic site. Some patients may have nonlocalizing or mild early pain, but LLQ localization is the usual presentation.

Diverticulitis inflames diverticula most often in the sigmoid colon, which sits in the lower left part of the abdomen. That’s why the pain is typically localized to the lower left quadrant, often with tenderness in that area on exam. If the pain showed up in another quadrant, it would suggest involvement of different organs or locations, whereas the sigmoid colon’s position makes LLQ the classic site. Some patients may have nonlocalizing or mild early pain, but LLQ localization is the usual presentation.