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The hypochondrium refers to the two hypochondriac regions in the upper third of the abdomen; the left hypochondrium and right hypochondrium. [1] They are located on the lateral sides of the abdominal wall respectively, inferior to (below) the thoracic cage, being separated by the epigastrium .
The human abdomen is divided into quadrants and regions by anatomists and physicians for the purposes of study, diagnosis, and treatment. [1] [2] The division into four quadrants allows the localisation of pain and tenderness, scars, lumps, and other items of interest, narrowing in on which organs and tissues may be involved.
Hypochondria is an old concept whose meaning has repeatedly changed over its lifespan. [1] It has been claimed that this debilitating condition results from an inaccurate perception of the condition of body or mind despite the absence of an actual medical diagnosis. [2] An individual with hypochondriasis is known as a hypochondriac.
Abdominal pain, also known as a stomach ache, is a symptom associated with both non-serious and serious medical issues. Since the abdomen contains most of the body's vital organs, it can be an indicator of a wide variety of diseases.
Murphy's sign has a high sensitivity and negative predictive value, although the specificity is not high. [2] However, in the elderly the sensitivity is markedly lower; a negative Murphy's sign in an elderly person is not useful for ruling out cholecystitis if other tests and the clinical history suggest the diagnosis.
Abdominal guarding is the tensing of the abdominal wall muscles to guard inflamed organs within the abdomen from the pain of pressure upon them. The tensing is detected when the abdominal wall is pressed. [1] Abdominal guarding is also known as ' défense musculaire '.
Pain can be referred to the epigastrium from damaged internal organs. [4] This is primarily from the foregut, with structures including the stomach, parts of the duodenum, and the biliary tract. [4] Pain may also be referred from the pancreas, such as in acute pancreatitis. [5]
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