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Dunphy's sign
System: Abdominal & Digestive Signs · All abdominal & digestive signs
What it is — and how it is elicited
Asking the patient to cough sharply increases pain in the right lower abdomen in suspected appendicitis.
What a positive finding suggests
Associated with peritoneal irritation in acute appendicitis.
◈ Behind the name
J. Englebert Dunphy (1908–1981), American surgeon.
Related signs — Abdominal & Digestive Signs
Browse the D 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.