Dance's sign
System: Abdominal & Digestive Signs · All abdominal & digestive signs
What it is — and how it is elicited
A slight emptiness or retraction felt in the right lower abdomen, where a segment of bowel has telescoped away from its usual position.
What a positive finding suggests
Associated with intussusception in infants and young children.
◈ Behind the name
Jean-Baptiste-Hippolyte Dance (1797–1832), French physician.
Related signs — Abdominal & Digestive Signs
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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.