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Puddle sign

System: Abdominal & Digestive Signs · All abdominal & digestive signs

What it is — and how it is elicited

With the patient on hands and knees, a stethoscope and flicking finger are used to detect the edge of a small pool of free fluid in the abdomen.

What a positive finding suggests

Associated with small amounts of ascites too little to detect by shifting dullness.

◈ Behind the name

Described by Wallace H. Lawson, American physician, in 1961.

Related signs — Abdominal & Digestive Signs

Aaron's signAsterixisBallance's signBlumberg's signBlumer's shelfBoas' sign

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.