Abdominal palpation

Definition

Abdominal palpation is a clinical technique used to examine the abdomen by feeling its structures through the skin. It helps in assessing organ size, detecting masses, and evaluating tenderness or fluid accumulation.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Abdominal palpation can help identify kidney enlargement, which may indicate renal issues.
2. Tenderness during abdominal palpation might suggest inflammation or infection, including conditions affecting the kidneys.
3. Palpating for fluid waves can help detect ascites, which may be related to renal disease.
4. This technique is essential for assessing the presence of abdominal masses that could impact renal function.
5. Abdominal palpation should be performed systematically to ensure all potential abnormalities are identified.

Review Questions

• What can tenderness during abdominal palpation indicate about renal health?
• How does abdominal palpation contribute to detecting kidney enlargement?
• Why is it important to perform abdominal palpation systematically?

Related terms

Renal Assessment: A comprehensive evaluation of kidney function and structure using various techniques including blood tests, imaging, and physical examination.

Ascites: The accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity, often detected through abdominal palpation and indicative of various health issues including renal disease.

Kidney Enlargement (Nephromegaly): An increase in kidney size that can be detected through physical examination techniques like abdominal palpation and may signal underlying health problems.