Left lower quadrant marking is associated with which ostomy types?

• A. Descending or sigmoid
• B. Transverse colostomy
• C. Ileostomy
• D. Urostomy

Answer: (A)

The site marking reflects which bowel segment will form the stoma. The left lower quadrant corresponds to where the descending and, especially, the sigmoid colon reside. An ostomy created from these segments (a descending or sigmoid colostomy) typically exits in the left lower abdomen, producing more formed stool and fitting the natural colonic anatomy.

In contrast, a transverse colostomy is usually placed higher up, near the upper abdomen, because it uses the transverse colon. An ileostomy is typically on the right side, since it involves the ileum and right lower quadrant anatomy, and a urostomy (urinary diversion) is positioned based on urinary tract considerations rather than the bowel, so its classic left lower quadrant marking isn’t typical for bowel-based ostomies.