Gallbladder

Gallbladder Physical Exam

Abdominal pain is one of the most common symptoms experienced by patients around the world. It’s not always a sign of serious disease but it can reflect problems in your gallbladder. At our Beverly Hills medical office, specialists perform a full gallbladder physical exam to identify the cause of your abdominal pain and detect any abnormalities in your gallbladder.

What is the gallbladder?

The gallbladder is a small pear-shaped pouch located under your liver. Its function is to store and secrete a special type of digestive juice called bile. Bile is produced in the liver and it plays a role in the process of breaking down fatty foods. The gallbladder is connected to the liver through a bile duct system which transports bile to be stored in the gallbladder.

Types of gallbladder disease

There are several types of gallbladder disease, most of them are caused by inflammation. Their symptoms are most prominent after a fatty meal. It is important to diagnose these conditions early so that serious complications are avoided.

Cholecystitis & Cholangitis

Cholecystitis is inflammation of the gallbladder and cholangitis is inflammation of the bile ducts. Cholecystitis is the most common type of gallbladder disease. It can be triggered by gallstones, tumors, or other conditions. Symptoms include fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and jaundice (yellowish discoloration of mucosa and/or skin).

Gallstones

Gallstones, also known as cholelithiasis, develop when chemical substances like calcium or bile salts accumulate and form particles that block the gallbladder or its associated ducts. This blockage causes gallbladder dysfunction. There are five risk factors for developing gallstones, they are called the five F’s: female, fertile, forty, fatty, and fair. Gallstones often result in pain, called biliary colic, in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen, nausea, and vomiting.

Biliary dyskinesia

Biliary dyskinesia is when the bile is not properly squeezed out because the gallbladder is not contracting as it should. Its reduced activity leads to bloating and indigestion. Diagnosing this condition requires special testing such as HIDA scan.

Other gallbladder conditions include:

What to expect

Medical history
Prior to the abdominal physical exam, your physician will ask you some questions. You will need to clarify the following:

Gallbladder physical exam

Physical examination of the gallbladder is typically performed by inspection and palpation. Your physician will check your abdomen for any distension or prominent veins. If your skin is slightly yellowish, this will be noted as well. Afterwards, your doctor will start feeling your abdominal region to check for painful points and masses. A typical sign for cholecystitis is Murphy’s sign which is pain triggered by feeling the right upper quadrant of the abdomen. Whereas cholangitis is characterized by a triad of symptoms called Charcot’s triad: fever, jaundice, and right upper abdominal pain.