Acute Appendicitis: When Pain Moves to the Right Lower Quadrant

Appendicitis may begin as difficult-to-localize abdominal pain and evolve within hours into a problem requiring urgent medical attention.

We follow the obstruction and inflammation of the appendix, explain why pain can shift toward the lower right abdomen, and explore the roles of clinical history, examination, and imaging in diagnosis. We also discuss perforation, treatment options, and why timing matters.

Sources and further reading:

1. Breeding E, Conran RM. Educational case: acute appendicitis. Acad Pathol. 2020;7:2374289520926640. doi:10.1177/2374289520926640.
2. Lotfollahzadeh S, Lopez RA, Deppen JG. Appendicitis. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025.

Educational content only. Not a substitute for individualized medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.