Kehr's sign is associated with pain in which area?

Kehr's sign is associated with pain in which area?

• A. The lower back
• B. The tip of the shoulder
• C. The abdomen
• D. The hip joint

Answer: (B)

Kehr's sign is specifically associated with referred pain in the tip of the shoulder. This phenomenon occurs due to irritation of the phrenic nerve, which innervates the diaphragm and is in close proximity to the shoulder area. When there's irritation in the abdominal cavity, particularly from splenic hemorrhage or other pathologies affecting the left side, the pain can manifest in the shoulder region. This is a vital clinical sign used in the assessment of potential intra-abdominal issues, especially those involving the spleen. Understanding this connection between visceral and somatic pain pathways is crucial for diagnosing conditions that might present with referred pain.

Kehr's sign is specifically associated with referred pain in the tip of the shoulder. This phenomenon occurs due to irritation of the phrenic nerve, which innervates the diaphragm and is in close proximity to the shoulder area. When there's irritation in the abdominal cavity, particularly from splenic hemorrhage or other pathologies affecting the left side, the pain can manifest in the shoulder region. This is a vital clinical sign used in the assessment of potential intra-abdominal issues, especially those involving the spleen. Understanding this connection between visceral and somatic pain pathways is crucial for diagnosing conditions that might present with referred pain.