This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Go to /pro/cpd-dashboard page

This page is worth 0.05 CPD credits. CPD dashboard

Go to /account/subscription-details page

This page is worth 0.05 CPD credits. Upgrade to Pro

Examination (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

Related pages

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.