Blumer's shelf
Blumer's Shelf (pronounced: bloo-merz shelf) is a term used in the field of medicine to describe a physical finding during a rectal examination. It refers to a hard, rigid structure palpable on rectal examination, which is indicative of a pelvic mass or malignancy.
Etymology
The term is named after American gynecologist, Dr. George Blumer, who first described this clinical sign in the early 20th century.
Definition
Blumer's Shelf is a palpable anatomical structure that can be felt during a rectal examination. It is formed by the infiltration of a malignant tumor into the rectovesical or rectouterine pouch, causing a hard, shelf-like structure to be felt.
Clinical Significance
The presence of Blumer's Shelf is a significant clinical finding, often indicating advanced gynecological cancer or gastrointestinal cancer. It is most commonly associated with ovarian cancer, colorectal cancer, and prostate cancer.
Related Terms
- Rectal examination: A common medical procedure used to check the health of the lower rectum and other internal organs.
- Pelvic mass: An enlargement or swelling in the pelvic region, often caused by a tumor or cyst.
- Malignancy: The presence of cancerous cells that have the ability to spread to other parts of the body.
- Rectovesical pouch: An anatomical structure in males, located between the rectum and the bladder.
- Rectouterine pouch: An anatomical structure in females, located between the rectum and the uterus.
- Gynecological cancer: Any cancer that starts in a woman's reproductive organs.
- Gastrointestinal cancer: A group of cancers that affect the digestive system, including the stomach and intestines.
- Ovarian cancer: A type of cancer that begins in the ovaries.
- Colorectal cancer: A type of cancer that begins in the colon or rectum.
- Prostate cancer: A type of cancer that occurs in the prostate, a small walnut-shaped gland in men that produces the seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperm.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Blumer's shelf
- Wikipedia's article - Blumer's shelf
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