ABSTRACT
The abdomen contains the stomach, duodenum, small and large bowel, liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, kidneys, uterus, bladder, aorta and vena cava and, in females, the uterus, ovaries and Fallopian tubes. This relatively small cavity therefore contains a number of vital organs, all of which are susceptible to disease or malfunction. Many are inaccessible to palpation, being hidden behind the lower ribs or inside the bony pelvis. The close proximity of the abdominal organs to each other can make the brain incapable of distinguishing which organ is the source of a pain. Symptoms and signs will help to distinguish the likely organ and the pathology responsible for the pain. The full extent of the abdomen must be visible and, ideally, patients should be uncovered from nipples to knees. Many find this embarrassing and a compromise is to cover the lower abdomen with a sheet or blanket while the abdomen is being palpated.
