Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Assessment of the Rectum and Anus

Assessment of the Rectum and Anus

Evaluating the rectum and anus plays a crucial role in conducting a thorough physical examination of the gastrointestinal system. Although it may be uncomfortable and often embarrassing for the patient, it holds immense diagnostic value, particularly in detecting gastrointestinal diseases and abnormalities. This guide will explain how to perform this assessment using inspection and palpation methods.
Rectal Inspection
Begin by inspecting the perianal and anal areas for color, texture, rashes,...

Appendicitis

Appendicitis

Appendicitis is an acute inflammatory condition of the vermiform appendix, most commonly caused by obstruction of its lumen. The appendix is a narrow, blind-ended pouch that extends from the cecum, making it particularly prone to obstruction. Causes include fecaliths, lymphoid hyperplasia (often after viral infections), parasites, tumors, or foreign bodies. This obstruction initiates a cascade of pathological changes.Luminal Obstruction and Early InflammationAfter obstruction, normal mucosal...

Abdominal Regions and Quadrants

Abdominal Regions and Quadrants

To promote clear communication, for instance, about the location of a patient's abdominal pain or a suspicious mass, anatomists and clinicians typically use imaginary lines to categorize the abdominopelvic cavity into either four quadrants or nine regions to identify organs in the cavity.
The simpler quadrants approach, which is more commonly used in medicine, subdivides the cavity with one horizontal and one vertical line that intersects at the patient's umbilicus (navel). The four quadrants...

Muscles of the Abdomen

Muscles of the Abdomen

The abdominal wall encircles the abdominal cavity, providing flexible protection and shielding the internal organs from harm. It is bordered at the top by the xiphoid process and costal margins, at the back by the vertebral column, and at the bottom by the pelvic bones and inguinal ligament. The abdominal wall is divided into two regions — the anterolateral and posterior regions.
Anterolateral Region
The anterolateral region comprises five paired muscles classified into the lateral and anterior...

Assessment of the Abdomen I: Inspection and Auscultation

Assessment of the Abdomen I: Inspection and Auscultation

Introduction
The abdominal examination is a cornerstone of clinical medicine, serving as a critical tool in diagnosing various gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. It involves a systematic approach that includes inspection and auscultation, each with distinct yet complementary roles in assessing the abdomen. This article will delve into these two primary methods healthcare professionals use to examine the abdomen.
Inspection of the Abdomen
The first step in any abdominal examination is inspection.

Assessment of the Abdomen III: Palpation

Assessment of the Abdomen III: Palpation

Palpation is a crucial tactile examination method for assessing abdominal organs and detecting conditions like tenderness, distention, masses, or fluid. It involves both light and deep palpation techniques, each serving specific diagnostic purposes. Light palpation helps identify tenderness and other surface-level indicators, while deep palpation locates and assess abdominal masses and organ boundaries. A skilled professional can gather valuable insights through palpation, including evaluating...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Effect of PGY Training Year on Perceived Readiness to Perform Entrustable Professional Activities.

MedEdPublish (2016)·2024

Same author

COVID-19-Induced Cardiomyopathy in a Young Nulliparous Woman.

Cureus·2021

Same author

Behavioral Health Assessments and Interventions of Psychology Trainees and Residents During Dual Interviewing: Replication and Extension.

Journal of clinical psychology in medical settings·2018

Same author

The Use of the Social Cognition and Object Relations Scale in a Primary Care Setting.

Journal of personality assessment·2017

Same author

Convergent Validity of the Early Memory Index in Two Primary Care Samples.

Journal of personality assessment·2015

Same author

The Patient-Doctor Relationship Questionnaire (PDRQ-9) in Primary Care: A Validity Study.

Journal of clinical psychology in medical settings·2014

Same journal

Does taking BP medicine at night (vs morning) result in fewer cardiovascular events?

The Journal of family practice·2023

Same journal

Preventing RSV in children and adults: A vaccine update.

The Journal of family practice·2023

Same journal

Essential oils: How safe? How effective?

The Journal of family practice·2023

Same journal

51-year-old woman • History of Graves disease • General fatigue, palpitations, and hand tremors • Dx?

The Journal of family practice·2023

Same journal

Renewing the dream.

The Journal of family practice·2023

Same journal

55-year-old woman • Myalgias and progressive symmetrical proximal weakness • History of unilateral renal agenesis, type 2 diabetes, and hyperlipidemia • Dx?

The Journal of family practice·2023

See all related articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Gastric Point of Care Ultrasound in Adults: Image Acquisition and Interpretation

Gastric Point of Care Ultrasound in Adults: Image Acquisition and Interpretation

Published on: September 22, 2023

Irregularly shaped abdominal mass.

William Murdoch¹, Pierre A Morris

¹Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA. bmurdoch@med.wayne.edu

The Journal of Family Practice

|April 8, 2011

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

A growing abdominal mass was observed in a patient with a history of multiple surgeries. This case highlights potential complications following extensive abdominal procedures.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Gastric Point of Care Ultrasound in Adults: Image Acquisition and Interpretation

Gastric Point of Care Ultrasound in Adults: Image Acquisition and Interpretation

Published on: September 22, 2023

Area of Science:

Gastroenterology
Surgical Oncology

Background:

A patient presented with a history of multiple prior abdominal surgeries.
The patient developed a progressively enlarging abdominal mass.

Observation:

The abdominal mass was noted to be nontender.
The mass exhibited significant and continuous growth.

Findings:

The abstract does not contain specific findings, only observations.

Implications:

This case underscores the importance of vigilant monitoring for delayed complications after abdominal surgery.
Further investigation is warranted to determine the etiology of the growing abdominal mass.