Definition
Definition
Palpation allows the flexibility of the abdominal wall to be studied, to look for tenderness, pain, guarding, contracture, swelling and/or an abdominal mass.
Generalities
In the event of injury, that is to say of a possible abdominal pathology, and more precisely of the peritoneum, we observe a muscular defense. This corresponds to a painful, transient contraction of the muscles of the anterior wall (located in front) of the abdomen, caused by palpation.
This symptom is the result of a localized pathology of the peritoneum, which is the double membrane that protects and covers the organs of the abdomen. Most often, muscular defense is accompanied by a hyperesthesia (increased sensitivity) of the abdominal skin layer (skin in the broad sense).
Muscle defense is triggered by the viscera sick, which cause an excitation of the abdominal muscular wall itself. The defense becomes a wooden belly, in the presence of a more significant irritation of the peritoneum.
Medical exam
Technical
Palpation of the abdomen is its percussionIt is practiced as follows:
- Once lying flat on the back, the head barely raised, and resting on a pillow, the lower limbs extended or slightly bent, the arms alongside the body, the patient must breathe as calmly as possible through the mouth.
- The goal sought by the examiner, placed at the side and palpating the patient's abdomen, is the patient's relaxation as complete as possible.
- The palpating hands must first apply gentle, superficial pressure before penetrating deeper into the anterior abdominal wall (deep palpation). These gestures allow for exploration of the abdominal cavity.