abdominal examination

Abdominal Examination

A hands-on evaluation of the abdominal cavity to identify abnormalities, if any, based on any change in size, shape, consistency, or sound on percussion of the organs found therein.
Parameters assessed Ascites, ballotability, bowel sounds (normoactive, hyperactive, hypoactive, high-pitched, inaudible, tympanitic), costovertebral angle tenderness, distension, obesity, fluid wave, guarding, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, organomegaly, liver, spleen and kidneys (tender or not), McBurney's point (for appendicitis), Murphy's sign, palpable, nonpalpable, protuberant, rebound tenderness, scaphoid, surgical scars.

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abdominal examination

Clinical medicine A hands-on evaluation of the abdominal cavity to identify abnormalities, if any, based on any change in size, shape, consistency, or sound on percussion of the organs found therein. See Abdomen.

McGraw-Hill Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.