Abdominal Pain Flashcards
What are the three broad classifications of abdominal pain?
- Visceral
- Parietal
- Referred
Describe the characteristic of Visceral / autonomic pain
Non-specific, poorly localised, ache or dull pain with gradual onset
For Visceral / autonomic pain, where are the sensory fibres located?
In bowel wall / mesentry / organs
Describe the characteristic of Parietal pain
Localised, sharp, worse by movement
Which of Visceral and Parietal pain, follows embryological distribution of organs?
Visceral pain
For Parietal pain, where are the sensory fibres located?
In Parietal Peritoneum
Irritation of the diaphragm due to an inflamed gallbladder / perforated ulcer / splenic rupture has referred pain to where?
Scapular / shoulder tip area
Describe why colicky pain might arise?
Hollow muscular stricture with exaggerated contractions to unblock itself causing pain
After performing an abdominal examination - what could be performed for more information?
- Groin examination
- Digital rectal exam
Tymphanic sounds on percussion refers to what?
Gaseous items
Dull sounds on percussion refers to what?
Solid / fluid
What would a tickling bowel sound on auscultation sound like?
Bowel obstruction
