Palpable spleen tip

System: Blood & Lymph Signs · All blood & lymph signs

What it is — and how it is elicited

The tip or edge of the spleen can be felt below the left rib cage as the patient breathes in deeply, when the spleen is at least moderately enlarged.

What a positive finding suggests

Associated with causes of splenomegaly, including blood cancers, portal hypertension, infections such as malaria and glandular fever, and storage diseases.

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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.