Medical Terminology (Abdomen) Flashcards

Medical Terminology (Abdomen)

• Bowel Sounds: Intestinal noises detected during abdominal auscultation; categorized as hyperactive, hypoactive, diminished, or absent, and can indicate gastrointestinal status.

• Diffuse: Refers to a condition that is widespread or not confined to a specific localized area, often used to describe pain or symptoms.

• Distention: Indicates a swollen appearance of the abdomen due to internal pressure; contrasts with a scaphoid abdomen which appears sunken.

• Femoral Pulse Deficit: Occurs when there is a skipped or absent pulse over the femoral artery, potentially indicating vascular issues.

• Guarding: A protective reaction where abdominal wall muscles tense, often to shield internal organs from pain during examination.

• Hepatomegaly: A medical term signifying an enlargement of the liver, commonly associated with various liver diseases.

• Mass: Refers to any detectable enlargement or abnormality found in the abdomen, which may require further evaluation.

• McBurney's Point: Located 1/3 of the way from the anterior superior iliac spine to the umbilicus; significant for identifying appendicitis when pain is experienced in this area.

• Murphy's Sign: A clinical test for evaluating gallbladder inflammation; indicates cholecystitis if pain occurs upon palpation during the patient's inspiration.

• Organomegaly: General term used to describe the enlargement of any organ within the abdomen, which may indicate underlying pathologies.

• Peritoneal Signs: Symptoms such as rebound tenderness and guarding that suggest irritation or inflammation of the peritoneum, indicating potential peritonitis.

• Prominent Aortic Pulsation: A notable pulsation felt in the midline of the abdomen during palpation, potentially signaling an aortic aneurysm.

• Psoas Sign: A physical exam maneuver that elicits abdominal pain upon hip external rotation, often used to suggest appendicitis.

• Rebound: A clinical sign where pain is triggered by the sudden release of pressure during abdominal palpation, indicative of possible irritation or inflammation.

• Rigidity: Refers to a hardened abdominal wall observed during examination, contrasting with a soft abdomen, which can imply underlying issues.

• Rovsing's Sign: A physical exam technique where palpation of the left lower quadrant induces pain in the right lower quadrant, suggesting appendicitis.

• Splenomegaly: A condition characterized by an enlarged spleen, which may indicate various hematological or systemic diseases.