Spleen Palpation
Spleen Palpation - Related Videos
08:25
Abdominal Exam III: Palpation
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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
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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
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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...
07:39
Cardiac Exam I: Inspection and Palpation
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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.
04:47
A Mouse Model of Vascularized Heterotopic Spleen Transplantation
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2025
The video demonstrates a surgical method for generating a mouse model of vascularized heterotopic spleen transplantation. The abdominal cavity of an anesthetized donor mouse is surgically opened to remove the spleen. The inferior vena cava and infrarenal aorta are identified, their lumbar branches are ligated, and openings are made for the heterotopic transplantation of a spleen from a congenic donor mouse. Upon completing vascular anastomosis and restoring blood flow to the implanted spleen,...
FAQs
Respiratory movement gives the examiner a changing target: as the patient inhales, the spleen descends and may become easier to feel. This makes the examination dependent on coordination between palpation and breathing, rather than pressure alone. If the organ remains difficult to identify, the finding should be interpreted alongside the patient’s position and the examiner’s technique.
An enlarged spleen may be suggested when a palpable organ extends below the costal margin, especially when its position or edge is unusual. Palpation also assesses tenderness, which can add clinical information but does not by itself establish the cause. These findings help determine whether further evaluation should include laboratory testing or imaging.
Patient position, relaxation, respiratory movement, and examiner technique all influence whether the spleen is detected and how its margin is perceived. The examiner therefore needs to maintain consistent conditions while coordinating palpation with breathing. A result obtained under unclear or poorly controlled conditions may be less reliable and should be interpreted cautiously.
During the examination, the examiner considers more than simple contact with an abdominal structure. The spleen’s apparent size, position, edge, and tenderness are relevant observations. An edge that feels unusual or a finding that extends below the costal margin can support suspicion of splenic enlargement, while tenderness may provide an additional abnormal sign requiring clinical context.
Spleen palpation is especially relevant when splenomegaly is suspected or when clinical assessment involves conditions associated with splenic abnormalities. The maneuver can support evaluation in infections, hematologic disorders, liver disease, and abdominal trauma. Its value lies in contributing a bedside physical finding that helps determine whether additional assessment is warranted.
The bedside finding should guide further assessment rather than stand alone. Depending on the clinical context, laboratory testing or imaging can be used to investigate apparent enlargement, tenderness, or an unusual edge. This follow-up is important because palpation identifies a physical finding, while additional tests help assess its significance in infection, hematologic disease, liver disease, or trauma.