Obturator sign

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Obturator sign

The Obturator sign (/ɒbˈtjʊərətər saɪn/) is a medical sign used in the diagnosis of appendicitis. The sign is positive if a patient experiences pain in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when the right hip is flexed and internally rotated. This maneuver causes irritation of the obturator muscle, which is located near the appendix.

Etymology

The term "obturator sign" is derived from the Latin word "obturare", which means "to close or obstruct". The obturator muscle, which the sign is named after, is so called because its function is to close or obstruct the obturator foramen.

Procedure

To perform the test for the obturator sign, the patient lies on their back with the right hip and knee flexed. The examiner then rotates the hip internally, which stretches the obturator muscle. If the patient experiences pain in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen, the obturator sign is considered positive.

Related Terms

  • McBurney's point: The point in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen that is one-third of the distance from the anterior superior iliac spine to the umbilicus (navel). This is the most tender point in acute appendicitis.
  • Rovsing's sign: A sign that is positive when pressure on the left lower quadrant of the abdomen causes pain in the right lower quadrant.
  • Psoas sign: A sign that is positive when extension of the right hip causes abdominal pain. This sign indicates irritation of the psoas muscle, which is located near the appendix.

See Also

External links

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