PAEA Surgery End Of Rotation (EOR) Practice Exam

Where is the appendix located in the body?

1. Upper left quadrant

2. Right lower quadrant

3. Lower midline

4. Abdominal retroperitoneal space

The correct answer is: Right lower quadrant

The appendix is located in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen. This positioning is significant because the appendix is a small, tube-like structure that extends from the cecum, which is part of the large intestine. Its typical anatomical location is crucial for both diagnosis and surgical procedures, especially appendectomy, which is the removal of the appendix due to conditions like appendicitis. Understanding the anatomical position of the appendix helps in clinical settings, where pain or tenderness in the right lower quadrant may indicate appendicitis or other related conditions. In contrast, the upper left quadrant contains different organs such as the spleen and the stomach, while the lower midline involves structures like the bladder and reproductive organs, and the abdominal retroperitoneal space houses the kidneys and parts of the aorta and inferior vena cava. This anatomical awareness is foundational in both clinical assessment and surgical planning.