Point tenderness
Alternative names:
McBurney's point
Definition:
A symptom in which pain is noted when pressure is applied over a specific point on the abdomen.
Considerations:
The abdomen is an area of the body easily examined by touch (palpation). Without bony shielding, such as the rib cage around the chest, masses and organs within the abdomen can be felt and pain can often be localized.
Two types of tenderness are recognized, rebound tenderness and point tenderness. Rebound tenderness is a non-localizing sign and occurs when the membrane that lines the abdominal cavity (the peritoneum) is irritated, inflamed, or infected (peritonitis).
The most common recognized point tenderness is that of McBurney. The McBurney point is located by drawing a line from the navel to the highest part of the pelvic bone on the right side (the right iliac crest). Divide the line into three equal lengths. McBurney's point is 2/3 of the way from the navel to the iliac crest. Pressure over this point will elicit pain in people with appendicitis who have been symptomatic for a period of time.
Common causes:
Note: There may be other causes of point tenderness. This list is not all inclusive, and the causes are not presented in order of likelihood. The causes of this symptom can include unlikely diseases and medications. Furthermore, the causes may vary based on age and gender of the affected person, as well as on the specific characteristics of the symptom such as exact location, quality, time course, aggravating factors, relieving factors, and associated complaints. Use the Symptom Analysis option to explore the possible explanations for point tenderness, occurring alone or in combination with other problems.
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