What is the normal contour of the abdomen?

A rounded, symmetrical contour of the abdomen with bulging flanks is often the first clue. Palpation of the abdomen in the patient with ascites will often demonstrate a doughy, almost fluctuant sensation. In advanced cases the abdominal wall will be tense due to distention from the contained fluid.

How do you assess the abdomen?

With abdominal assessment, you inspect first, then auscultate, percuss, and palpate. This order is different from the rest of the body systems, for which you inspect, then percuss, palpate, and auscultate.

Should abdomen be firm or soft?

Normal: Abdomen is soft, rectus muscle is relaxed and no discomfort is elicited during palpation.

How do you describe a distended stomach?

Abdominal distension occurs when substances, such as air (gas) or fluid, accumulate in the abdomen causing its expansion. It is typically a symptom of an underlying disease or dysfunction in the body, rather than an illness in its own right. People suffering from this condition often describe it as “feeling bloated”.

Why do doctors push on your stomach?

Pressing on your stomach is a way to find out if the size of your internal organs is normal, to check if anything hurts, and to feel if anything unusual is going on. Looking, listening, and feeling are all part of a physical exam.

Why do doctors tap on abdomen?

Percussion. Percussion means tapping the belly and listening to the tone of different sounds. When a healthcare provider taps just below the rib cage, they can hear the sounds made by a normal liver. Similar sounds heard when tapping beyond where the liver should be could be a sign of an enlarged liver.

What do abdominal exams look for?

Looking at the skin, the doctor is looking for anything abnormal like scars, stretch marks, lesions, dilated veins, or rashes. The doctor then determines the shape of your abdomen, looking for any bumps, abdominal distension, or depressions. The doctor will also check your belly button for abnormalities like a hernia.

What are abnormal bowel sounds?

Decreased or absent bowel sounds often indicate constipation. Increased (hyperactive) bowel sounds can sometimes be heard even without a stethoscope. Hyperactive bowel sounds mean there is an increase in intestinal activity. This may happen with diarrhea or after eating.

Is it bad to have a soft abdomen?

If you have subcutaneous belly fat, your belly feels jiggly and softer to the touch. Unlike visceral fat, subcutaneous fat can be pinched. For men, a waist that measures more than 40 inches is a sign that your belly fat may be increasing your risk of health problems.

Why do doctors press your abdomen?

Which is the correct shape of the stomach?

Your vital digestive organ, the stomach, has two surfaces, i.e. the anterior and the posterior. The two curvatures – greater and lesser – are visible as you examine the shape of the stomach. Your stomach has two orifices. The upper orifice, formed by the cardia, serves as the entry point of the food into the stomach.

What is the normal shape of the chest?

Normal chest is symmetrical and elliptical in cross section .The following abnormalities are noted in shape of chest. Flat chest. The anteroposterior to transverse diameter ratio is 1 : 2. Present in fibrothorax. Barrel shape chest.

What are the different types of belly shapes?

4 TYPES OF BELLY SHAPES: WHAT BELLY DO YOU HAVE? 1 FOUR TYPES AND CAUSES OF BELLY FAT. 2 ADRENAL BELLY – LINKED WITH STRESS. 3 THYROID BELLY – CAUSED BY EXCESS OESTROGENS. 4 OVARY BELLY – SPECIFIC FOR WOMEN. 5 LIVER BELLY – CAUSED BY LIVER AND BILE PROBLEMS.

Is it normal for women to have a flat belly?

Fat deposited in the abdominal area seems to be the most stubborn of all, whether we’re talking about men or women, and it’s not uncommon for otherwise slim people to have belly fat and to be unhappy with the shape of their abdomen. See our ‘ 3 essential lifestyle changes for a flat belly’.