Pain can arise from any of the structures within the abdomen or the abdominal wall. In addition, pain messages originating in the chest, back, or pelvis can sometimes be perceived as coming from the abdomen. For example, patients with heart attacks or pneumonia sometimes complain of upper abdominal pain rather than chest pain. There are many possible causes of pain. The table shows some of the more common causes of pain:

Non-abdominal causes:

Pneumonia (lung infection)
Myocardial infarction (heart attack)
Pleurisy (irritation of the lining around the lungs)
Pulmonary embolism (blood clots to the lungs)