Which sign is associated with appendicitis?

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Multiple Choice

Which sign is associated with appendicitis?

The main idea here is how different physical signs point to inflammation or irritation in specific tissues. A positive psoas sign occurs when extending the right hip reproduces pain, which happens because the iliopsoas muscle is irritated by an inflamed appendix, especially when the appendix lies retrocecal behind the cecum. So pain with right thigh extension indicates involvement of the psoas muscle, making it a classic sign of appendicitis in that anatomical situation. Murphy’s sign is a test for gallbladder inflammation and causes inspiratory arrest during RUQ palpation, not appendicitis. Tinel sign involves tingling with tapping along a nerve pathway and is used for neuropathies like carpal tunnel. Cullen sign is periumbilical ecchymosis that suggests intraperitoneal bleeding or pancreatitis, not typical of appendicitis.

The main idea here is how different physical signs point to inflammation or irritation in specific tissues. A positive psoas sign occurs when extending the right hip reproduces pain, which happens because the iliopsoas muscle is irritated by an inflamed appendix, especially when the appendix lies retrocecal behind the cecum. So pain with right thigh extension indicates involvement of the psoas muscle, making it a classic sign of appendicitis in that anatomical situation.

Murphy’s sign is a test for gallbladder inflammation and causes inspiratory arrest during RUQ palpation, not appendicitis. Tinel sign involves tingling with tapping along a nerve pathway and is used for neuropathies like carpal tunnel. Cullen sign is periumbilical ecchymosis that suggests intraperitoneal bleeding or pancreatitis, not typical of appendicitis.

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