AllRefer Health - Caring for your Well Being  

Home | About | FAQs | Contact Us

AllRefer Channels :: Yellow Pages | Reference | Health  

Symptoms Guide
Select & Go
 Diet & Nutrition
 Diseases & Conditions 
 Health News
 Injuries & Wounds
 Poisons & Overdoses
 Surgery & Procedures 
 Symptoms Guide
 Special Topics
 Tests & Exams
 Pictures & Images
 Medical Encyclopedia
Google
  Web health.allrefer.com   

You are here : AllRefer.com > Health > Medical Symptoms Guide > Abdominal Mass

Abdominal Mass

Provided by A.D.A.M.

Definition

Overview & Considerations

Common Causes

Home Care & Treatment

Call your Health Care Provider if

What to Expect at your Health Care Provider's Office

Pictures & Images

Go To Main Page

Alternate Names : Mass in the Abdomen


Definition

An abdominal mass is a localized swelling or enlargement in one area of the abdomen.

Pictures & Images

Anatomical Landmarks, Front View
Anatomical Landmarks, Front View

Digestive System
Digestive System

Fibroid Tumors
Fibroid Tumors

Aortic Aneurysm
Aortic Aneurysm

     See all Pictures & Images
Overview & Considerations

An abdominal mass is usually detected on routine physical examination. It may not have been detected by the affected person because most abdominal masses develop slowly.

An abdominal mass can be a sign of an abscess, a problem with a blood vessel (such as an aneurysm), an enlarged organ (such as the liver, spleen, or kidney), a tumor, or an accumulation of feces.

The abdomen is usually divided into 4 quadrants: right-upper quadrant, left-upper quadrant, right-lower quadrant, and left-lower quadrant. Other terms used to localize masses (or pain) in the abdomen include periumbilical, which describes the area around the navel, and epigastric, which describes the area in the center of the abdomen just below the ribcage. The location of the mass, and its firmness, texture, and other qualities can provide clues as to the cause of an abdominal mass.


Today's Top News Stories

Falls Are Top Cause of Injury, Death Among Elderly - Jul 19, 2008, 09:00
Not all homes are the same, but common sense measures can reduce the risk, expert says.

Heart Blood Vessels Grown in the Lab - Jul 18, 2008, 19:00
Could offer a future alternative to bypass surgery, researchers say.

Clinical Trials Update: July 18, 2008 - Jul 18, 2008, 09:24

Loud Music in Bars Hastens Drinking - Jul 18, 2008, 16:00
French researchers say blasting tunes makes patrons down more alcohol in less time.

Breast-Fed Babies Have Fewer GI Infections - Jul 18, 2008, 17:00
But they're more likely to be iron-deficient, study finds.


<

^ Top

>


Jump to another section

Definition
Abdominal Mass: Overview & Considerations
Abdominal Mass: Common Causes
Abdominal Mass: Home Care & Treatment
Call your Health Care Provider if
What to Expect at your Health Care Provider's Office
Pictures & Images

Topics that might be of interest to you

Diseases & Conditions

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Abscess
Acute Cholecystitis (Gallstones)
Aneurysm
Cancer
Colon Cancer
Crohn's Disease
Diverticulitis
Gastric Cancer
Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Neuroblastoma
Ovarian Cysts
Pancreatic Abscess
Pancreatic Pseudocyst
Renal Cell Carcinoma
Tumor
Unilateral Hydronephrosis
Urge Incontinence
Uterine Fibroids

Tests & Exams

Abdominal CT Scan
Abdominal Film
Abdominal Ultrasound
Arteriogram
Barium Enema
CBC
CHEM-20
EGD - Esophagogastroduodenoscopy
Isotope Study
Sigmoidoscopy

Other Topics

Abdominal Pain
Hepatomegaly
Physical Examination
Splenomegaly

Review Date : 10/29/2003
Reviewed By : Jeffrey Everett, M.D., Department of Surgery, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

Main Page of Abdominal Mass






Featured Topics

Alzheimer's Disease

High Blood Pressure

Crohn's Disease

Impotence

Overactive Bladder


ADAM

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial reviewers. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2003 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Copyright © 2007 AllRefer.com All Rights reserved.
Health Topics: A-Al Am-Az B C-Cj Ck-Cz D E F G H I J K L M N O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q R S-Sl Sm-Sz T U V W X Y Z 0-9
About Us | Help | Privacy Policy | Editorial Policy | Advertising Policy | Accessibility | Terms of Use
Contact Us | Link to Us | User Satisfaction Survey | Healthopedia.com
Page Last Updated: 19 Jul, 2008