ABSTRACT
In female patients, the uterus is positioned between the bladder and the rectum in the sagittal plane and should be in the midline. The ovaries may vary in their position, but should always lie within the pelvic cavity, with one on either side of the uterus. The liver is the largest organ in the abdominal cavity and, thanks to its high position in the right hypochondrium/upper quadrant, it can be difficult to evaluate thoroughly on ultrasound. The common bile duct is formed when the intra-hepatic bile ducts and the cystic duct converge at the hepatic hilum and is an important structure to evaluate in ultrasound assessment of the acute abdomen. The appendix can be very difficult to identify on ultrasound, particularly in adult patients. The kidneys are situated laterally and posteriorly and are often easiest to visualise from the back or side of the patient.
