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Cullen's sign
System: Abdominal & Digestive Signs · All abdominal & digestive signs
What it is — and how it is elicited
Bruising and bluish discoloration of the skin around the navel.
What a positive finding suggests
Associated with blood in the peritoneal cavity, classically severe acute pancreatitis and ruptured ectopic pregnancy.
◈ Behind the name
Thomas Stephen Cullen (1868–1953), Canadian gynaecologist, who described it in ectopic pregnancy.
Related signs — Abdominal & Digestive Signs
Browse the C section of the A–Z list or return to the Clinical Signs hub.
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.