| A | B |
|---|
| Aneurysm | defect formed by an area of dilation in arterial wall |
| Ascites | abnormal accumulation of serous fluid within the peritoneal cavity (often associated with CHF, cirrhosis, portal hypertension, cancer) |
| Anorexia | loss of appetite for food |
| Borborygmi | loud gurgling bowel sounds signaling increased motility or hyperperistalsis (associated with early bowel obstruction and diarrhea) |
| Bruit | swooshing sound auscultated due to turbulent blood flow (e.g., when an artery is partially occluded as in renal stenosis) |
| Cholecystitis | inflammation of the gall bladder |
| Costal margin | lower border of rib margin formed by the medial edges of 8th, 9th, and 10th ribs |
| Costovertebral angle | angle formed by 12th rib and vertebral column on posterior thorax - overlies the kidneys |
| Diastasis recti | midline longitudinal ridge in abdomen due to separation of abdominal rectus muscles |
| Dysphagia | difficulty swallowing |
| Epigastrium | upper abdominal region between costal margins |
| Hepatomegaly | abnormal enlargement of liver |
| Hernia | abnormal protrusion of bowel through a weakenin in the abdominal musculature |
| Paralytic ileus | complete absence of peristaltic movement |
| Peritoneal friction rub | rough grating sound heard on auscultation over the site of peritoneal inflammation |
| Peritonitis | inflammation of peritoneum |
| Pyloric stenosis | congenital narrowing of pyloric sphincter, forming outflow obstruction of stomach contents (palpable as olive sized mass in RUQ) |
| Pyrosis | burning sensation in upper abdomen due to reflux of gastric acid ("heart burn") |
| Scaphoid | abnormally sunken abdominal wall (seen with malnutrition and underweight - in infants may indicate dehydration) |
| Splenomegaly | abnormal enlargement of the spleen (as may be seen with mononucleosis) |
| Striae | silvery white, pink, or purple lines formed by stretching of skin (occurs with pregnancy or rapid weight gain) |
| Suprapubic | abdminal region just superior to pubic bone |
| Tympany | high-pitched musical percussion note heard when percussing over stomach or air-filed intestines |
| Umbilicus | landmark formed from site of entry of umbilical cord |
| Viscera | internal organs |
| Protuberant | bulging abdominal contour as seen with abdominal obesity and severe ascites |
| Melena | black tarry stools due to digested blood of upper Gl bleeding |
| Meconium | thick sticky green-black stool of neonate / newborn |
| Murphy's sign | inspiratory arrest on palpation of liver - indicates gallbladder inflammation |
| Hepatomegaly | enlarged liver |
| Blumberg sign | rebound tenderness - pain on release of pressure - indicates peritoneal inflammation |
| Succussion splash | loud splash auscultated over upper abd when infant rocked side-to-side - indicates increased air and fluid in stomach (e.g., with pyloric obstruction) |
| Venous hum | medium pitched continuous sound originating from inferior vena cava (occurs with portal hypertension and liver cirrhosis) |
| Cullen's sign | bluish periumbical color due to intraabdominal bleeding |
| Eructation | belching |
| Lactose intolerance | lactase deficiency results in inability to digest milk products - produces bloating, cramping, flatulence, diarrhea |
| Flatulence | excessive air/gas in stomach and intestines |
| Hematemesis | vomiting of blood |
| Esophageal varicies | tortuous dilated vessels in esophagus - often due to portal hypertension |
| Pica | craving to eat nonfood substances such as clay, starch, dirt (increased occurrence with pregnancy, certain nutritional deficiencies, and mental disorders) |
| Anorexia nervosa | psychological disorder in which the victims starves to a state of extreme thinness in order to prevent obesity |
| Hollow viscus | hollow viscera such as the stomach, gallbladder, small intestine, colon, and urinary bladder |
