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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

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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.

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