![]() ![]() The liver span is normally 6-12 cm (mean liver span is 7 cm for women and 10.5 cm for men). Liver span depends on age, sex, and body type. Measure the distance between upper and lower border of dullness in cm.Mark the point on the abdominal wall where the resonant sound over the lungs changes to dullness over the liver with a skin pencil.Percuss in the right midclavicular line downwards starting at the nipple line to identify an upper border of liver dullness.Make a mark where the tympany changes to dullness (lower border) with a skin pencil.Bending down to listen carefully to the percussion note might be required. Lightly percuss in the right midclavicular line upwards starting in the area of tympany below the umbilicus. Start by locating the right midclavicular line.It is essential to identify both the lower and the upper borders of the liver dullness to distinguish between an enlarged liver (which has an increased span), and a liver displaced downwards as a result of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (in which case the liver span is normal). Increased liver span on percussion indicates an enlarged liver, which can underlie a variety of pathological processes. ![]() Dullness on percussion in this area indicates an enlarged uterus or distended bladder. On the left, tympany over the gastric air bubble and the splenic flexure of the colon should be heard. Dull sound on the right over the liver is expected. ![]() Normally the spleen and liver are covered by the rib cage, with the liver edge occasionally found 1-2 cm below the costal margin.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |