In most cases, abdominal palpation yields useful information; in some cases, it is crucial. Begin by gently placing your warm hand on the epigastric area and let your hand relax. (This approach ...

A tip for palpating ticklish children Abdominal exams can be ticklish for kids, but a simple trick can make it easier. Enlist the help of a ticklish child when palpating his or her abdomen. I find ...

The spleen is an organ situated behind the stomach, in the upper left part of the abdomen known as the left hypochondrium. It is located under the ribcage and therefore is not usually felt by the ...

All of us — physicians, patients and payers — need to change our attitudes about routine health checks. When he posed that question recently to a group of medical residents, he received what is ...

Note the location, quality, radiation, severity, and timing of the discomfort: Right upper quadrant discomfort suggests cholecystitis (check the Murphy sign), hepatitis, passive congestion, or ...