Point tenderness - abdomen - Overview

Alternative Names

Abdominal tenderness

Definition of Point tenderness - abdomen:

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 doctor can easily examine by touch. The doctor can feel growths and organs in the belly area and find where you feel pain.

Abdominal tenderness can range from mild to severe. "Rebound" tenderness occurs when the tissue that lines the abdominal cavity (the peritoneum) is irritated, inflamed, or infected.

Common Causes:

Abdominal abscess
Appendicitis
Certain types of hernias
Meckel's diverticulum
Ovarian torsion (twisted Fallopian tube)

Anatomical landmarks, front view

Appendix

Reviewed last on: 10/28/2010
Linda Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Bengiamin RN, Budhram GR, King KE, Wightman JM. Abdominal pain. In: Marx JA, Hockberger Rs, Walls RM, et al, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier;2009:chap 21.

Postier RG, Squires RA. Acute abdomen. In: Townsend CM, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2008:chap 45.

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