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Point tenderness - abdomen

Abdominal tenderness

Abdominal point tenderness is the pain you feel when pressure is placed over a certain part of the belly area (abdomen).

Considerations

The abdomen is an area of the body a health care provider can easily examine by touch. The provider can feel growths and organs in the belly area and find where you feel pain.

Abdominal tenderness can be mild to severe. Rebound tenderness occurs when the tissue that lines the abdominal cavity (the peritoneum) is irritated, inflamed, or infected. This is called peritonitis.

Peritonitis

Peritonitis is an inflammation (irritation) of the peritoneum. This is the thin tissue that lines the inner wall of the abdomen and covers most of t...

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    Causes

    Causes include:

    • Abdominal abscess

      Abdominal abscess

      The peritoneum is the thin tissue that lines the inner wall of the abdomen and covers most of the organs. Peritonitis is present when this tissue be...

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      • Appendicitis

        Appendicitis

        Appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix. The appendix is a small pouch attached to the large intestine.

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        • Certain types of hernias

          Hernias

          A hernia is a sac formed by the lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneum). The sac comes through a hole or weak area in the strong layer of the be...

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          • Meckel diverticulum

            Meckel diverticulum

            A Meckel diverticulum is a pouch on the wall of the lower part of the small intestine that is present at birth (congenital). The diverticulum may co...

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            • Ovarian torsion (twisted fallopian tube)

            When to Contact a Medical Professional

            Get emergency medical help right away if you have abdominal point tenderness.

            What to Expect at Your Office Visit

            Your provider will examine you and gently push on places on your belly. People with peritonitis will often tense the abdominal muscles when the area is touched. This is called guarding.

            The provider will note any point of of tenderness. The location of the tenderness can indicate the problem that is causing it. For example, if you have appendicitis, you will have tenderness when a certain place is touched. This spot is called McBurney point.

            The provider will also ask questions about your symptoms and medical history. These may include:

            • When did the symptoms start?
            • Is this the first time you have had such discomfort?
            • If not, when does the discomfort tend to occur?
            • Are you having other symptoms, such as constipation, diarrhea, fainting, vomiting, or fever?

              Constipation

              Constipation in infants and children occurs when they have hard stools or have problems passing stools.  A child may have pain while passing stools o...

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                Diarrhea

                Diarrhea is when you pass loose or watery stool.

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                  Vomiting

                  Nausea is feeling an urge to vomit. It is often called "being sick to your stomach. "Vomiting or throwing-up is forcing the contents of the stomach ...

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                  You may need to have the following tests:

                  • Abdominal x-ray

                    Abdominal x-ray

                    An abdominal x-ray is an imaging test to look at organs and structures in the abdomen. Organs include the spleen, stomach, and intestines. When the ...

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                    • Abdominal CT scan (occasionally)

                      Abdominal CT scan

                      An abdominal CT scan is an imaging method. This test uses x-rays to create cross-sectional pictures of the belly area. CT stands for computed tomog...

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                      • Blood work, such as a complete blood count

                        Complete blood count

                        A complete blood count (CBC) test measures the following:The number of red blood cells (RBC count)The number of white blood cells (WBC count)The tota...

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                        In some cases, you may need surgery right away. This may involve an exploratory laparotomy or an emergency appendectomy.

                        Exploratory laparotomy

                        Abdominal exploration is surgery to look at the organs and structures in your belly area (abdomen). This includes your:AppendixBladderGallbladderIn...

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                          Appendectomy

                          An appendectomy is surgery to remove the appendix.

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                            Open References

                            References

                            McQuaid K. Approach to the patient with gastrointestinal disease. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 132.

                            Squires R, Carter SN, Postier RG. Acute abdomen. In: Townsend CM Jr, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 20th ed. Elsevier; 2017:chap 45.

                            Swartz MH. The abdomen. In: Swartz MH, ed. Textbook of Physical Diagnosis. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2014:chap 14.

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                              • Anatomical landmarks, front view

                                Anatomical landmarks, front view - illustration

                                There are three body views (front, back and side) that may be helpful if you are uncertain of a body area. Many areas are referred to by both descriptive and technical names. For example, the back of the knee is called the popliteal fossa. However, areas like the "flank" may not have both names, so the location may be unclear.

                                Anatomical landmarks, fr...

                                illustration

                              • Appendix

                                Appendix - illustration

                                The appendix is near the junction of the small bowel and the colon. On occasion, it may become infected. Although most people are familiar with appendicitis, it is a relatively rare disease. It is treated by surgical removal of the appendix (appendectomy). Recovery time for uncomplicated appendicitis is usually just three days.

                                Appendix

                                illustration

                                • Anatomical landmarks, front view

                                  Anatomical landmarks, front view - illustration

                                  There are three body views (front, back and side) that may be helpful if you are uncertain of a body area. Many areas are referred to by both descriptive and technical names. For example, the back of the knee is called the popliteal fossa. However, areas like the "flank" may not have both names, so the location may be unclear.

                                  Anatomical landmarks, fr...

                                  illustration

                                • Appendix

                                  Appendix - illustration

                                  The appendix is near the junction of the small bowel and the colon. On occasion, it may become infected. Although most people are familiar with appendicitis, it is a relatively rare disease. It is treated by surgical removal of the appendix (appendectomy). Recovery time for uncomplicated appendicitis is usually just three days.

                                  Appendix

                                  illustration

                                Related Information

                                 
                                • Peritonitis
                                • Appendicitis
                                 

                                Review Date: 12/10/2016

                                Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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