What organ is on the right side right under the ribs

The abdominal area of human beings is split into four regions and these are well known as quadrants. We can explain this by virtually drawing a vertical line which splits the abdomen into two halves and then drawing a horizontal line at the plane of the belly button. Now if we see the abdomen, we can easily identify the topmost area or region on the right side that is known as the right upper quadrant.

The upper right quadrant consists of many organs which comprises many different organs, which include fragments of the liver, right kidney, the gallbladder, pancreas and the large and the small intestine.

It is highly important for us to pay attention to the pain in the right side under the ribs. As it may be an indicator of many medical conditions or a serious illness.

Why Pain in Right Side Under Ribs

The pain in the right side under the ribs can be caused due to many reasons. It must be due to any infection from the organs or from the underlying tissues.

Following are some of the reasons listed below for the pain in the right side under the ribs.

Gastrointestinal Issues

Mostly indigestion can be a cause of pain in the right side under the ribs. This pain can be due to a result from gastrointestinal issues or acid reflux disease which is also known as GERD. Some symptoms of GERD can include:

• Chest pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Frequent heartburn
• Burning sensation or sore throat

The management of GERD includes taking antacid medications at the right time , maintaining a healthy lifestyle and avoiding trigger foods. Research found Probio Lite can reduce acid reflux using probiotics, you may can try it.

Infection in the Kidneys

It is a well known fact that the infection in the right kidney may lead to pain in the right side under the ribs. Some of the symptoms of a kidney infection can include:

• Chills
• Fever
• Blood in urine
• Pain in the groin region and neck
• The increase in urine frequency
• Pain while urinating
• Dark or cloudy urine with a foul smell
• Vomiting
• Nausea

For this infection, several types of bacterias and viruses are also important to be considered and they can also put a cause in the spread of the infection from the gallbladder.

Anybody who suspects of a kidney infection should immediately consult a doctor and may get prescribed antibiotics.

In case the infection is severe, the person may get hospitalized and continue the further treatment to receive intravenous fluids.

Kidney Stones

Whenever a kidney stone is found in the right kidney, there are many chances of pain in the right side under the ribs. Other symptoms of the kidneys stones are mentioned below:

• Blood in urine that may appear red, pink or maybe brown
• Chills
• Fever
• Increase in urine frequency
• Painful urination
• Very less amounts of urine
• Inability to urinate properly

If the patient doubts about the pain that it may be due to a kidney stone, then he or she must immediately go and consult a doctor.

Gallstones

Just under the liver lies the gallbladder in the upper right quadrant. Gallstones may also be a cause of the pain in the right side under the ribs. Gallstones are very minute in size and are typically made of cholesterol and bilirubin. These are materials that are made when the red blood cells are broken down.

The major cause of gallstones is obesity. Also if the fat is deposited more around the waist, then there are higher chances of gallstones to get accumulated. Gallstones can also cause the following symptoms:

• Fever
• Chills
• Brown urine
• Light colored stools
• Sharp pain in right side under the ribs
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Yellow skin
• Yellow eyes

If any of such symptoms are seen by a person, then a doctor must be consulted immediately as it may later on cause complications.

Abscess in the Liver

A liver abscess which is also known as a hepatic abscess or a pyogenic liver abscess is caused by the accumulation of pus in the liver.The pus can accumulate as a result of infection caused from parasites, bacteria and fungi. A liver abscess can cause a number of symptoms which are mentioned below:

• Fever
• Chills
• Weight loss
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Yellow skin
• Grey stools

Dull Pain Under Right Rib Cage that Comes and Goes

The pain in the rib cage may be sharp, dull or achy and can be easily felt at or beneath the chest or on the upper side of the navel on both the sides. This pain may usually occur due to an injury or due to some unlisted reasons.

Also if deep thoughts are put, then the rib cage pain can be due to some obvious reasons starting either from pulled muscles or due to fracture of the ribs.

This pain can be caused either immediately after the injury or it is developed slowly over time. An underlying medical condition can also be a sign of this kind of pain. Attention must be given to the nature of pain and a doctor must be consulted immediately.

Causes of the Rib Cage Pain

Pulled muscles or bruised ribs are the most common causes of rib cage pain. Some other causes of the pain are mentioned below.

• Injury on the chest
• Rib fracture
• Broken ribs
• Osteoporosis or other types of diseases that affect the bones
• Inflammation on the lung lining
• Spasm of muscles
• Swollen rib cartilage

Sharp Stabbing Pain in Right Side Under Rib Cage

The thoracic cavity is made up of 12 rib pairs. Protection is basically provided by the rib cage to many important and delicate organs of our body which includes the cardiovascular system due to which many people associate the pain caused under the ribs with the heart.

Although, the pain can be caused due to many other obvious reasons and health conditions which are mentioned below:

Gallstones

The hard deposits of bile which get accumulated in the gallbladder are known as gallstones. The size of the gallstones can range from small to big. Mainly these deposits are caused due to the collection of cholesterol in the gallbladder.

These stones further are transported to the ducts and can eventually cause a blockage to the bile flow in the bile duct. This blockage thus, will lead to the sharp stabbing pain under the right rib.

Some other symptoms includes:

• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Pyrexia
• Irregular heartbeat

Also there can be many repetitive episodes of the pain.

Liver Problems

The pain in the right side of the ribs may also be caused by various liver problems. Liver infections or liver cancer also indicate pain in the right upper quadrant. Other symptoms that are visible can be:

• Fatigue
• Jaundice
• Dark color urine
• Weight loss
• Nausea
• Vomiting

The pain in the upper right quadrant may be due to underlying liver problems and the pain usually extends to the right shoulder as well.

Appendicitis

Appendix is a very narrow projection which is there on the lower side of the right abdomen. Appendicitis refers to a situation in which there is Inflammation or contamination of the appendix which therefore leads to a sharp stabbing pain under the right rib. This is always indicated as a medical emergency.

The pain of appendicitis starts from the navel and continues to the right abdominal area.

Some of the common symptoms include:

• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Fever
• Dizziness
• Loss of appetite

Straining Of the Intercostal Muscles

The intercostal muscles are those muscles which are present in between the ribs and that help in the formation and movement of the wall of the chest. In total there are 11 pairs of intercostal muscles which also help in breathing.

A muscle can be named as strained if it is overly pulled ,stretched or torn partially.

As a result, a sharp stabbing pain in the right side under the rib cage is felt.

There would be soreness present and also some breathing difficulties while experiencing this problem.

Tender Spot Under Right Rib Cage

There can be a medical condition which can be called a biliary colic.

The biliary colic is a firm or irregular pain on the upper side of the abdomen which is usually beneath the right side of the rib cage. It occurs when the normal flow of bile from the gallbladder gets blocked by something. Bile usually aids in the digestion of fats.

Bile is usually constructed in the liver and is reserved in the gallbladder. When food is being taken , bile is transported from the gallbladder from the cystic duct into the small intestine where it is mixed with half digested food.

For biliary colic to occur, the most common causes include the gallstones. If any of the duct is blocked by these stones, the average flow of bile to the intestine is also disturbed. The muscle cells of the bile duct are contracted heavily in account to move the stone. This therefore leads to the pain of the biliary colic.

Symptoms of the Biliary Colic

A person with a biliary colic mostly feels of an ache or pressure sensation in the upper side of the abdomen. This kind of pain can be felt in the middle of the upper side of the abdomen just downwards to the breastbone or in the upward part of the abdomen to the right side near the gallbladder and liver. In many cases the pain from the abdomen is spreading backwards towards the right shoulder blade. Other symptoms include nausea and vomiting.

The symptoms of the biliary colic are activated by the digestive system's needs for the bile . These are mostly common after the consumption of fatty meals. The symptoms also occur when the person who's fasting has to suddenly break a fast and has very heavy food.

Sharp Pain Under Right Rib During Pregnancy

Women can often experience a number of uncomfortable symptoms during pregnancy. One of the most common symptoms among these is the rib pain. The rib pain has many reasons that are different in every trimester.

In a variety of cases , the reason for rib pain is generally harmless . It is because of the position of the womb that the enlarging foetus increases the pressure onto the tissues and the ribs. It is really important to know the warning signs as it is very uncommon to develop any complications.

Sharp Pain Under Right Rib Cage

The rib cage pain can be treated according to the type of pain and the cause of pain. If the rib cage pain has occured due to a pulled muscle or a bruise , a simple cold compress on that area can be used to reduce swelling and inflammation.

Apart from this, over the counter pain relievers can also be taken such as acetaminophen.

In case over the counter medications are not beneficial to the patient, and are not helping in relieving the pain, some other medications can be prescribed and also a compressive wrap should be suggested. A compression wrap can be described as a big elastic bandage which is wrapped around the patient's chest. The compression wrap secures the area in a tight position for the prevention of further injury and excessive pain.

However, this wrap makes the patient uncomfortable and also difficult to breathe. Therefore the wrap is only required in rare cases due to its tightness. Due to this, the risk of pneumonia can also be increased.

Treatment Of Pain in Right Side Under the Ribs

The treatment plan for the pain in the right side under the ribs in the right upper quadrants totally depends upon the cause.

Some examples include:

• Acetaminophen or ibuprofen which are some of the pain relievers. They basically reduce the discomfort.
• Antacids can also be prescribed for the neutralization of the stomach acid.
• Acid blockers or the proton pump inhibitors can also be prescribed to lessen the amounts of stomach acids or the acid in the intestines.
• Antibiotics can also be prescribed for killing the bacteria which are the main cause for the infection.
• Surgical procedures can also be performed for the excision of stones or the removal of any tumor.
• Certain therapies can also be performed such as the Chemotherapy, radiation therapy or the immunotherapy.

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Complications

Since the right upper quadrant consists of many organs therefore it gets really important to keep an eye on the pain in the upper right side below the ribs. Treatment should be taken timely and hence all complications should be avoided. Some examples of the complications are listed below:

• Infection in the kidney due to an untreated urinary tract infection.
• High blood pressure
• Kidney failure or kidney scarring
• Low birth weight
• Organ damage
• Preterm birth
• Inflammation or infection in the gallbladder
• Inflammation or infection in the pancreas due to undertreated gallstones
• Higher risk of ulcers or cancer of the stomach

Conclusion

The pain in the right side under the ribs can be caused due to a variety of reasons which include liver abscess, gastric upset, gallstones, gastrointestinal issues, infection to the kidneys, kidney stones and many more. The character of pain can be sharp and stabbing to dull pain.

The character of the pain totally depends on the medical condition by which it is caused. The signs and symptoms from various health issues can be nausea, Vomiting, pain, frequent urination, blood in urine, pain during urination and many more. The treatment plan depends upon the condition of the patient. Remedies include applying a pressure pack or cold pack. Also taking pain killers can be highly beneficial.

The treatment involves taking antacids, pain relievers, proton pump inhibitors, acid blockers, antibiotics. Also surgical excision can also be performed. The complications of the pain in the right side under the ribs include infection in the kidneys, higher BP, kidney failure, low birth weight, organ damage, preterm birth, Inflammation in the gallbladder and the pancreas and also there can be higher risk of ulcers in the stomach.

FAQs

What organ is on the right side under the ribs?

The upper right side under the ribs constitutes the upper right quadrant. The main organs which are present in the right upper quadrant include part of the liver, right kidney, gallbladder, the pancreas and both the small and large intestines. All these organs primarily are present in the upper right quadrant.

When should I be worried about the pain in my right side?

The pain in the upper right side under the ribs can be caused due to a serious illness. If any of the following symptoms are seen, the patient must be immediately rushed to the hospital. Severe pain, fast heartbeat, sweating, confusion, low blood pressure, swelling in the abdomen, pain that is tender, throwing up of blood.

Why is my right side hurting?

The right side of the abdomen consists of many organs which include small parts of the liver, pancreas and right kidney. Many related health conditions include appendicitis, gastrointestinal disease, ovarian cyst, irritable bowel syndrome, acid reflux and many more. The main causes of the right side pain includes the conditions listed above.

What does it mean when your right side of the rib cage hurts?

The right side of the rib cage can hurt due to a variety of reasons which can range from a pulled muscle to a broken rib. The pain may be caused immediately or it may develop slowly over the period of time. The pain can also be a sign of an underlying medical situation.

When should I be concerned about pain under my right rib?

What causes pain under right rib cage?

What organ is on your right side that can cause pain?