Abdominal pain
Abdominal pain is pain felt between the chest and pelvis. It can arise from abdominal organs, the abdominal wall, or structures elsewhere in the body.
Visceral pain: Pain arising from internal organs, often experienced as diffuse pressure or cramping. Stretching or inflammation of abdominal organs commonly produces this less precisely localized pain.
Acute abdomen: A sudden, severe abdominal condition that may require urgent evaluation or surgery. This term describes a concerning pattern of abdominal pain and associated findings.
Abdominal examination: A clinical assessment of the abdomen using inspection, listening, percussion, and palpation. The examination checks for tenderness, distension, masses, and signs of irritation.
Appendicitis: Inflammation of the appendix, often causing pain that moves toward the lower right abdomen. Its changing pain pattern is a well-known example of evolving abdominal disease.
Chest pain: Pain or discomfort felt in the chest, with causes ranging from muscle strain to heart disease. Heart and lung conditions can be perceived near the upper abdomen or mistaken for abdominal pain.
Parietal pain: Pain arising from the lining of a body cavity, typically sharp and well localized. Irritation of the abdominal lining can make pain sharper and more localized.
Abdominal tenderness: Pain elicited by pressing on the abdomen during a physical examination. Tenderness helps clinicians assess where and how the abdomen is affected.
Differential diagnosis: The process of identifying and comparing possible explanations for a patient's symptoms. Abdominal pain has many causes, so evaluation weighs competing explanations.
Cholecystitis: Inflammation of the gallbladder, commonly associated with gallstones and upper-right abdominal pain. Gallbladder inflammation is a frequent cause of pain beneath the right ribs.
Pelvic pain: Pain felt in the lower abdomen or pelvis, often involving reproductive, urinary, or digestive structures. Pelvic and abdominal pain overlap in location but may involve distinct organs and evaluations.