Doctors palpate the abdomen to check certain organs and feel for atypical masses or tenderness. Palpating the abdomen is often part of an abdominal physical examination. A doctor may perform a ...

We instinctively shield our abdomen when we are physically threatened, and we may feel vulnerable when someone puts his or her hand on our bare abdomen. Therefore, with an abdominal examination the ...

Today, the primary care physician, emergency department physician, or advanced practice provider (nurse practitioner or physician assistant) is often the first clinician to evaluate a patient with ...

Acute and chronic constipation together accounted for nearly half of all cases of acute abdominal pain in children treated at one hospital. The study also suggests that physicians should do a simple ...

In this Journal feature, information about a real patient is presented in stages (boldface type) to an expert clinician, who responds to the information by sharing relevant background and reasoning ...

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 ...