We instinctively shield our abdomen when we are physically threatened, and we may feel vulnerable when someone puts his or her hand on our bare abdomen. Therefore, with an abdominal examination the ...

Doctors palpate the abdomen to check certain organs and feel for atypical masses or tenderness. Palpating the abdomen is often part of an abdominal physical examination. A doctor may perform a ...

If obstruction is suspected or there is a primary abdominal symptom, auscultation is always done first. During routine examination when no abnormalities are suspected, the examiner typically starts ...