This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Clinical examination of the spleen

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

The spleen enlarges inferiorly and medially from the left costal margin across the umbilicus to the right iliac fossa.

Physical examination is by:

  • palpation
  • percussion - over the spleen, the percussion note is dull
  • auscultation - rarely, revealing a friction rub

In differentiating the spleen from an enlarged left kidney or a mass at the splenic flexure, note that:

  • the spleen has no palpable upper border
  • the spleen is not ballottable except in the presence of gross ascites

Create an account to add page annotations

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.