Resistance in the abdomen (synonyms: Abdominal swelling; abdominal tumor; abdominal mass; abdominal swelling; abdominal tumor; pelvic swelling; diffuse intraabdominal mass; diffuse intraabdominal swelling; diffuse pelvic mass; diffuse umbilical mass; diffuse pelvic mass; diffuse umbilical mass; diffuse umbilical swelling; small bowel conglomerate tumor; generalized intraabdominal mass; generalized intraabdominal swelling; generalized pelvic mass; generalized pelvic swelling; generalized umbilical mass; generalized pelvic mass; generalized umbilical mass; generalized umbilical swelling; intraabdominal nodule; intraabdominal swelling; nodule in pelvis; conglomerate tumor in lower abdomen; umbilical swelling; pelvic space; pelvic nodule; pelvic swelling; abdominal space; umbilical space; umbilical swelling; lower abdominal tumor; ICD-10 R19. 0: swelling, mass, and nodule in abdomen and pelvis) refers to a palpation finding (tactile finding) during examination of the abdomen. If applicable, the affected person has palpated the resistance in the abdomen himself.
On palpation (palpation) from ventral (“concerning the abdomen”), the liver margin and the aorta are usually palpable. Normally not palpable are:
- Stomach
- Intestine (sometimes as a “roller”)
- Gall bladder (if palpable + icterus (jaundice) = Courvoisier sign).
- Pancreas (pancreas) (occasionally pseudocysts/fluid-filled chambers in the area of the pancreas).
- Spleen (always try!)
- Kidneys (occasionally palpable in children or in large cysts).
- Urinary bladder (most common “palpable resistance” in the lower abdomen).
- Uterus (uterus)/ovaries (ovaries) (occasionally large uterus myomatosus; pregnancy) or prostate.
Resistance in the abdomen including the pelvis can be a symptom of many diseases (see under “Differential diagnoses”).
Course and prognosis: course and prognosis depend on the cause of the disease.
