Abdominal Examination Flashcards
What exposure is required for an abdominal examination?
Exposure from xiphisternum to the pubic symphysis
What position is required for an abdominal examination?
Supine position with the no upper body elevation
What lines divides the abdomen into 4 quadrants?
- Transumbilical plane (Horizontal)
- Median plane (Vertical)
The abdomen can be divided into 4 quadrants. Name them starting from the right superolateral point and going clockwise.
- Right upper quadrant
- Left upper quadrant
- Left lower quadrant
- Right lower quadrant
What lines divide the abdomen into 9 regions?
- Left midclavicular line (Vertical)
- Right midclavicular line (Vertical)
- Subcostal plane (Horizontal)
- Intertubercular plane (Horizontal)
The abdomen can be divided into 9 regions. Name them starting from the right superolateral point and going S - shaped.
- Right hypochondrium
- Epigastric
- Left hypochondrium
- Left lumbar
- Umbilical
- Right lumbar
- Right inguinal
- Pubic
- Left inguinal
What are the 4 main areas of abdominal general inspection?
- Shape & symmetry
- Skin abnormalities
- Surgical scars (indicating prior abdominal pathology)
- Masses
What does swollen / distended abdomen suggest?
Ascites
What does abdominal asymmetry suggest?
Abdominal mass
What do enlarged veins on anterior umbilical wall suggest?
Portal hypertension
What does everted umbilicus suggest?
Umbilical hernia
What does sunken umbilicus suggest?
Obesity
In what order is the abdomen palpitated?
- Light palpation (S shape)
- Deep palpation (S shape)
- Liver palpation (Red arrow)
- Spleen palpation (Green arrow)
- Bimanual palpation of the kidney, balloting of the kidneys
- Palpation of the AA (Purple star)
How is light and deep palpitation performed?
S-shaped
How is liver palitation performed?
Right inferolaterally to right superiorlaterally (Red arrow)
How is spleen palitation performed?
Right inferolaterally to left superiorlaterally (Green arrow)
How is bimanual palpation of the kidney performed?
Balloting of the kidneys
How is palpitation of the abdominal aorta performed?
Firm pressure in umbilical region (Purple star)
What are the surface markings of the liver & the gallbladder?
- Right 5th rib at midclavicular line
- Lower end of sternum
- Left 5th intercostal space at midclavicular line
- Costal margin at right midaxillary line
What are the surface markings of the spleen?
- Lateral border of erector spinae muscles
- Midaxillary line
- 9th intercostal space
- 11th intercostal space
What are the surface markings of the kidneys & ureters?
What are the surface markings of the abdominal aorta (AA)?
In what order is the abdomen percussed?
- Abdominal palpation (S shape)
- Liver palpation (Red arrow)
- Spleen palpation (Green arrow)
How is abdominal percussion performed?
S-shaped
How is liver percussion performed?
Right inferolaterally to right superolaterally (Red arrow)
How is spleen percussion performed?
Right inferolaterally to left superolaterally (Green arrow)