Abdominal Palpation
Abdominal Palpation - Related Videos
08:25
Abdominal Exam III: Palpation
0 Views •
2023
Source: Alexander Goldfarb, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, MA Abdominal palpation, if performed correctly, allows for examination of the large and relatively superficial organs; for a skilled examiner, it allows for assessment of the smaller and deeper structures as well. The amount of information that can be obtained by palpation of the abdominal area also depends on the anatomical characteristics of the patient. For example, obesity might make...
05:18
Palpation
0 Views •
2023
Source: Jaideep S. Talwalkar, MD, Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT The physical examination requires the use of all of the provider's senses to gain information about the patient. The sense of touch is utilized to obtain diagnostic information through palpation. The specific parts of the examiner's hand used for palpation differ based on the body part being examined. Because of their dense sensory innervation, the finger pads are useful for fine...
09:59
Respiratory Exam I: Inspection and Palpation
0 Views •
2023
Source: Suneel Dhand, MD, Attending Physician, Internal Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Disorders of the respiratory system with a chief complaint of shortness of breath are among the most common reasons for both outpatient and inpatient evaluation. The most obvious visible clue to a respiratory problem will be whether the patient is displaying any signs of respiratory distress, such as fast respiratory rate and/or cyanosis. In a clinical situation, this will always require...
13:32
Abdominal Exam IV: Acute Abdominal Pain Assessment
0 Views •
2023
Source: Joseph Donroe, MD, Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT Abdominal pain is a frequent presenting concern in both the emergency department and the office setting. Acute abdominal pain is defined as pain lasting less than seven days, while an acute abdomen refers to the abrupt onset of severe abdominal pain with features suggesting a surgically intervenable process. The differential diagnosis of acute abdominal pain is broad; thus, clinicians must have a...
07:39
Cardiac Exam I: Inspection and Palpation
0 Views •
2023
Source: Suneel Dhand, MD, Attending Physician, Internal Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center The cardiac assessment is one of the core examinations performed by almost every physician whenever encountering a patient. Disorders of the cardiac system are among the most common reasons for hospital admission, with conditions ranging from myocardial infarction to congestive heart failure. Learning a complete and thorough cardiac examination is therefore crucial for any practicing physician.
FAQs
Starting with light pressure allows the examiner to assess the abdomen progressively while observing tissue response, discomfort, and muscle tension. Deeper pressure can then provide additional information about underlying structures and possible abnormalities. This staged approach helps distinguish responses at different depths and supports a more systematic examination across abdominal regions.
Palpation can help characterize tenderness, masses, distension, and changes in the underlying structures. The examiner also observes how tissues respond, whether the patient experiences discomfort, and whether abdominal muscles become tense. Considering these findings together provides a more informative physical assessment than relying on a single response or isolated region.
Abdominal findings may provide information relevant to the gastrointestinal, urinary, and other systems. Palpation does not interpret these systems independently of the broader clinical picture; patient history and additional examinations help place physical findings in context. This combined approach supports clinical reasoning when determining what abnormalities may require further evaluation.
The examination proceeds across different abdominal regions using light and progressively deeper pressure. During each part, the healthcare professional observes tissue response, patient discomfort, muscle tension, and changes in underlying structures. Following a consistent progression helps organize observations and makes it easier to relate particular findings to specific abdominal areas.
Clinicians may use abdominal palpation when assessing possible physical abnormalities or evaluating changes over time. Findings can contribute to clinical reasoning and help determine whether further testing is needed. The technique is therefore useful both when investigating current abdominal concerns and when comparing examination findings during ongoing assessment.
Palpation provides physical findings that can be considered alongside the patient’s history and additional examinations. Tenderness, masses, distension, muscle tension, or altered tissue responses may help identify areas requiring closer assessment. These findings do not stand alone; instead, they contribute to deciding whether further testing is appropriate and to monitoring changes over time.