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Palpable bladder
System: Kidney & Urinary Signs · All kidney & urinary signs
What it is — and how it is elicited
A smooth, rounded, dull swelling rising out of the pelvis in the midline of the lower abdomen, which the patient feels an urge to empty but cannot.
What a positive finding suggests
Associated with urinary retention, classically from prostate enlargement or a blocked catheter.
Related signs — Kidney & Urinary Signs
Browse the P 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.