Ribs 9-11 relate to which organ on the left side?

• A. Spleen
• B. Stomach
• C. Kidney
• D. Pancreas

Answer: (A)

Ribs 9–11 on the left mark the area where the spleen sits protected under the left hemidiaphragm in the left upper quadrant. The spleen lies deep to the 9th–11th ribs, with its inferior border near the 11th rib and the hilum around that level. Because of this close relationship, trauma to these ribs can directly affect the spleen. The spleen is tucked posterolateral to the stomach and anterior to the left kidney, whereas the stomach lies more anterior and superior (fundus reaching toward the left side around the 5th–7th ribs) and the left kidney is more posterior and typically associated with the 11th–12th ribs. The pancreas is retroperitoneal and spans the upper abdomen with its tail near the spleen, but it is not as closely associated with the left 9th–11th rib region as the spleen is.