Charcot's triad

System: Abdominal & Digestive Signs · All abdominal & digestive signs

What it is — and how it is elicited

The combination of right upper abdominal pain, fever (often with rigors) and jaundice.

What a positive finding suggests

Associated with acute cholangitis — infection of the bile ducts behind an obstruction.

◈ Behind the name

Jean-Martin Charcot (1825–1893), French neurologist who also worked on liver and biliary disease.

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Please note: This page is an educational reference about clinical examination signs. A clinical sign supports — and never replaces — a full clinical evaluation, examination and appropriate testing. A sign being present does not by itself prove a diagnosis, and an absent sign does not rule one out. If you have symptoms that worry you, see a health professional.