The commonly used physical signs in clinical medicine usually indicate some degree of underlying pathology. However, their diagnostic accuracy in some cases is often unknown. Inspection is an important and often overlooked aspect of clinical examination. The word is derived from the Latin word inspectio , which means ‘to look’.
Inspection of the abdomen includes observing the abdominal wall for the presence of ecchymosis, bulges, depression, contours, abnormal movement and locations of the umbilicus, and the patient’s appearance at rest and with movements. These clinical clues can provide important information that may aid in identifying the disease process, narrowing the differential diagnosis, and in some cases identifying the source of disease. Take this quiz on abdominal inspection signs and test your knowledge.
