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Murphy's sign
System: Abdominal & Digestive Signs · All abdominal & digestive signs
What it is — and how it is elicited
Pressing under the right rib cage while the patient breathes in causes sharp pain that makes them suddenly catch their breath and stop breathing in.
What a positive finding suggests
Associated with inflammation of the gallbladder (acute cholecystitis).
◈ Behind the name
John Benjamin Murphy (1857–1916), American surgeon.
Related signs — Abdominal & Digestive Signs
Browse the M 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.