Murphy's sign
Murphy's Sign
Murphy's sign (/ˈmɜːrfiːz saɪn/) is a clinical sign that is typically used in the medical field to diagnose cholecystitis, an inflammation of the gallbladder. The sign is named after the American surgeon, John Benjamin Murphy, who first described it in the late 19th century.
Etymology
The term "Murphy's sign" is derived from the name of John Benjamin Murphy, an American surgeon who was known for his contributions to the field of surgery. He first described the sign in 1889.
Procedure
Murphy's sign is elicited during a physical examination. The patient is asked to take a deep breath while the doctor palpates (touches) the right subcostal area of the abdomen. If the patient experiences pain or abruptly stops inhaling due to discomfort, this is considered a positive Murphy's sign.
Related Terms
- Cholecystitis: An inflammation of the gallbladder, often caused by gallstones, which can be diagnosed using Murphy's sign.
- John Benjamin Murphy: An American surgeon who first described Murphy's sign.
- Gallbladder: A small organ located under the liver, which stores bile produced by the liver. Inflammation of the gallbladder is often diagnosed using Murphy's sign.
- Palpation: The process of using one's hands to check the body, especially while diagnosing a disease or illness.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Murphy's sign
- Wikipedia's article - Murphy's sign
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski