Abdominal Physical Signs and Medical Eponyms: Part I. Physical Examination of Palpation, 1876–1907

Background Abdominal palpation is a difficult skill to master in the physical examination. It is through the tactile sensation of touch that abdominal tenderness is detected and expressed through pain. Its findings can be used to detect peritonitis and other acute and subtle abnormalities of the abdomen. Some techniques, recognized as signs or medical eponyms, assist clinicians in detecting disease and differentiating other conditions based on location and response to palpation. Described in this paper are medical eponyms associated with abdominal palpation from the period 1890 to 1917.

Data Sources PubMed, Medline, on-line Internet word searches, textbooks and references from other source text were used as the data source. PubMed was searched using the Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) of the name of the eponyms and text words associated with the sign.

Conclusion We present brief historical background information about the physician who reported the sign, original description of the sign, and its clinical application and implication in today’s medical practice.