Abdominal Signs and Conditions

Question 1

What is the Aaron sign and what conditions are associated with it?

Answer 1

pain/distress in heart or stomach when palpating McBurney’s point

appendicitis

Question 2

What is the Ballance sign and what conditions are associated with it?

Answer 2

fixed dullness to percussion in left flank and dullness in right flank that disappears on change of position

peritoneal irritation

Question 3

What is the Blumberg sign and what conditions are associated with it?

Answer 3

rebound tenderness

peritoneal irritation, appendicitis

Question 4

What is the Cullen sign and what conditions are associated with it?

Answer 4

ecchymosis (bruise) around umbilicus

hemoperiotneium; pancreatitis, ectopic pregnancy

Question 5

What is the Dance sign and what conditions are associated with it?

Answer 5

absence of bowel sounds in RLQ

intussusception

Question 6

What is the Grey Turner sign and what conditions are associated with it?

Answer 6

ecchymosis (bruise) of flanks

hemoperitoneum, pancreatitis

Question 7

What is the Kehr sign and what conditions are associated with it?

Answer 7

abdominal pain radiating to left shoulder

spleen rupture, renal calculi, ectopic pregnancy

Question 8

What is the Markle (heeljar) sign and what conditions are associated with it?

Answer 8

stands w/ straight knees, raises to toes, relaxes, allows heels to hit floor, jarring body–> action causes abdominal pain if positive

peritoneal irritation; appendicitis

Question 9

What is the McBurney sign and what conditions are associated with it?

Answer 9

rebound tenderness and sharp pain when McBurney’s point is palpated

appendicitis

Question 10

What is the Murphy sign and what conditions are associated with it?

Answer 10

abrupt cessation of inspiration on palpation of gallbladder

cholecystitis

Question 11

What is the Romberg-Howship sign and what conditions are associated with it?

Answer 11

pain down medial aspect of thigh to knees

strangulated obturator hernia

Question 12

What is the Rovsing sign and what conditions are associated with it?

Answer 12

RLQ pain intensified by LLQ abdominal palpation

peritoneal irritation; appendcitis

Question 13

Where does the aorta refer musculoskeletal pain to?

Answer 13

lumbar spine

Question 14

Where does the colon refer musculoskeletal pain to?

Answer 14

mid-lumbar spine

Question 15

Where does the gallbladder refer musculoskeletal pain to?

Answer 15

right inferior scapula, subscapular

Question 16

Where do the gynecological disorders refer musculoskeletal pain to?

Answer 16

lumbar spine, rarely above L4; pelvis

Question 17

Where do the kidneys and ureters refer musculoskeletal pain to?

Answer 17

groin; flank

Question 18

Where does the pancreas refer musculoskeletal pain to?

Answer 18

lower thoracic spine

Question 19

Where does the peptic ulcer refer musculoskeletal pain to?

Answer 19

mid-thoracic spine; precordium

Question 20

Where does the rectum refer musculoskeletal pain to?

Answer 20

sacral region; left lumbar paraspinal region

Question 21

Where does the sigmoid colon refer musculoskeletal pain to?

Answer 21

sacral region