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Fluid thrill
System: General & Eye–Ear Signs · All general & eye–ear signs
What it is — and how it is elicited
An assistant's hand pressed along the midline of the abdomen stops fat-borne vibration; a flick on one flank is then felt as a wave by the examiner's other hand on the opposite flank.
What a positive finding suggests
Associated with a tense collection of free fluid in the abdomen (ascites).
Related signs — General & Eye–Ear Signs
Browse the F 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.