Basicmedical Key

Definition Any swelling in the inguinal area or upper medial thigh. Key Points The groin crease does not mark the inguinal ligament and is an unreliable landmark. Inguinal hernias are…

Definitions ‘Normal’ bowel habit varies widely from person to person. Alterations in bowel habit are common manifestations of GI disease. Constipation is defined as infrequent or difficult evacuation of faeces…

Definitions Diarrhoea is defined as the passage of loose, liquid stool. Urgency is the sensation of the need to defaecate without being able to delay. It may indicate rectal irritability…

Key Points Retroperitoneal mass: no movement with respiration, difficult to delineate, resonant to percussion. Bowel masses: often mobile, may be well defined. Pelvic mass: difficult to ‘get below’, bimanually palpable…

Definition An abdominal swelling is an abnormal protuberance that arises from the abdominal cavity or the abdominal wall and may be general or localized, acute or chronic, cystic or solid….

Definition Chronic abdominal pain is usually used to refer to pain that is either long-standing, of prolonged duration or of recurrent/intermittent nature. Chronic pain may be associated with acute exacerbations….

Definitions Abdominal pain is a subjective unpleasant sensation felt in any of the abdominal regions. Acute abdominal pain is usually used to refer to pain of sudden onset, and/or short…

Definitions Vomiting is defined as the involuntary return to, and forceful expulsion from, the mouth of all or part of the contents of the stomach. Waterbrash is the sudden secretion…