Letter

Sign

Specialty

Associated
conditions

Descriptor
epigastric pain with
pressure on McBurney's
point
levator palpebrae
superioris spasm
absence of pain on
Achilles tendon pressure

Aaron sign

surgery

appendicitis

Abadie's sign

endocrinology

Graves'
disease

neurology

tabes dorsalis

obstetrics

pregnancy

Abelin reaction

infectious
disease

syphilis

Addis count

nephrology

pyelonephritis

Adie pupil

neurology

ciliary nerve
damage

Adson's sign

vascular surgery

thoracic outlet
syndrome

presence of arsenical
anti-syphilitic;obsolete
quantitative cells and
casts in 24hr. urine
dilated pupil, poorly
reactive but with normal
near accommodation
obliteration of radial
pulse with manoeuvres

Alexander's
law

neurology,
neurosurgery,
ENT

vestibular
lesions

describes nystagmus in
vestibular lesions

Allen's test

vascular surgery, arterial supply

critical care[1] of the hand

Abadie's
symptom
Abderhalden
reaction

Apgar score
Apley grind
test
Argyll
Robertson
pupils

obstetrics
orthopaedic
surgery

meniscal
lesions

neurology

neurosyphilis[
2]

Arneth count

haematology,
nutrition

folate
deficiency

Asboe-Hansen
sign

dermatology

bullae

Aschheim
Zondek test

obstetrics

normal
pregnancy

Aschoff body

rheumatology,
pathology

rheumatic
fever

Ashby
technique

haematology,
pathology

haemolysis

serum reaction;obsolete

tests for presence of

palmar ulnar-radial
anastomosis (palmar
arch)
assess health of newborn
manoeuvres to elicit
knee pain
light-near dissociation
lobulation of neutrophil
nuclei
extension of a blister to
adjacent unblistered skin
when pressed
oestral reaction in mouse
injected with pregnant
urine
foci of interstitial
inflammatiuon in the
myocardium and
elsewhere
agglutination test for
erythrocyte survival

Letter

Sign
Auberger's
blood group
Auenbrugger's
sign

Specialty
haematology
cardiology

Associated
conditions
normal
physiology
pericardial
effusion
acute myeloid
leukemia

Auer rods

hematology

Auspitz's sign

dermatology

psoriasis

Austin Flint
murmur

cardiology

aortic
insufficiency

Babinski sign

neurology

abnormal
plantar reflex

Bainbridge
reflex

cardiology

normal
physiology

Balbiani rings

genetics

RNA
transcription

Ballance's sign

general surgery

abdominal/spl
enic trauma

Bancroft's sign

vascular
medicine

deep vein
thrombosis

Brny test

ENT,neurology

vertigo,
vestibular
dysfunction

Barlow's
maneuver

paediatrics,
orthopaedic
surgery

hip dysplasia

Bart
hemoglobin

Obstetrics,
pathology

indicates a
specific cause
of death in
some
stillborns

BastianBruns
sign

neurology

spinal cord
transection

Descriptor
Aua antigen
bulging epigastrium
cytoplasmic inclusions
in myeloblasts
punctate bleeding when
scales are scraped
mid-diastolic rumble
heard at apex
dorsiflexion of the
hallux with fanning of
the remaining phalanges
upon soft stimulation of
the lateral plantar
surface of the foot
increase in heart rate
with increase in
circulating blood volume
large chromosome puff
indicating site of RNA
transcription
percussive dullness left
flank, LUQ, percussive
resonance right flank
pain on anterior, but not
lateral, compression of
calf
nystagmus elicited by
hot or cold irrigation of
ear canal
dislocation on adduction
of hip
Loss of all four alphaglobin genes (total
alpha-thalassemia) leads
to severely anemic
stillborn babies with
small amounts of an
abnormal hemoglobin
composed of four
gamma sub-units (Bart's
Hemoglobin)
loss of muscle tone and
reflexes below lesion
level

Letter

Sign
Battle's sign
Beau's lines

Beck's triad

Becker's sign
Beevor's sign
Bekhterev
Jacobsohn
reflex
Bekhterev
Mendel reflex
Bence Jones
protein
Benedict
solution
Berger wave
(rhythm)

Associated
conditions
neurosurgery/tra basal skull
umatology
fracture
dermatology,
multiple,
internal
including
medicine
trauma
Specialty

cardiology

cardiac
tamponade

ophthalmology,
thyrotoxicosis
endocrinology
spinal trauma
neurology,
at T10,
neurosurgery
als,fsmd
neurology

neurology
hematology
endocrinology
neurology

BezoldJarisch
reflex

pharmacology,
toxicology

Bielschowsky's
head tilt test

neurology,
ophthalmology

pyramidal
tract lesions
pyramidal
tract lesions
multiple
myeloma
diabetes
mellitus
normal
physiology
effect of
certain
alkaloids
lesions of
cranial nerve
IV

Bing's sign

neurology

pyramidal
tract lesions

Biot's
respiration

neurology

brain stem
herniation

Bitot's spots

ophthalmology

vitamin A
deficiency

Bjerrum
scotoma

ophthalmology

glaucoma

Blumberg sign

surgery

peritonitis

Descriptor
mastoid ecchymosis
transverse ridges on
nails
hypotension, increased
central venous pressure
(JVP), distant heart
sounds
visible pulsation of
retinal arteries
caudal movement of
navel on cervical flexion
stroking dorsal radial
skin, with forearm in
supination, elicits wrist
and finger flexion
toe flexion on percussion
of dorsum of foot

reagent for presence of

monosaccharides
electroencephalographic
alpha wave
apnea, bradycardia,
hypotension
test for palsy of superior
oblique muscle
extension of the great toe
on pricking the dorsum
of the foot with a pin
quick shallow
respirations followed by
period of apnea
spots of keratin
deposition in the
conjunctiva
comet shaped visual
field defect,extending
temporally from the
physiological blind spot
rebound tenderness

Letter

Sign

Specialty

Associated
conditions

Boas' point

gastroenterology gastric ulcer

Boas' sign

gastroenterology

Bodansky unit

clinical
chemistry

Boston's sign

ophthalmology,
thyrotoxicosis
endocrinology

Bouchard's
nodes

rheumatology

osteoarthritis

Bracht
Wachter bodies

cardiology

infective
endocarditis

Braxton Hicks
contraction

obstetrics

normal
pregnancy

Brewer infarcts

nephrology,
pathology

pyelonephritis

Brissaud's
reflex

neurology

pyramidal
tract lesions

Broadbent
inverted sign

cardiology

acute
cholecystitis

Branham's sign

Broadbent sign

Broca aphasia

Brodie
Trendelenburg
percussion test

L atrial
hypertrophy
adhesive
cardiology
pericarditis
developmental
or other
neurology,
pathology of
neuropsychology
various frontal
cortical areas

general
medicine,
surgery

varicose veins

Descriptor
dermal hyperaesthesia
just left of T12
dermal hyperaesthesia at
inferior angle of R
scapula
unit of alkaline
phosphatase
concentration in blood
spasmodic ptosis on
downward gaze
bony outgrowths on
dorsa of proximal
interphalangeal joints
yellow-white spots in the
myocardium
pressing on proximal
portion of AV fistula
results in bradycardia
"false labour". sporadic
contractions beginning
as early as mid 1st
trimester
dark red wedge shaped
areas on kidney section
resembling infarcts
plantar stimulation
elicits contraction of
tensor fasciae latae
systole palpable in
posterior chest wall
recession of L inferior
intercostal spaces

expressive aphasia

superficial vein
is percussed
proximally; if
impulse is felt
over vein
distally,
valvular
incompetence
is present

Brodie
B Trendelenburg
test
Brudziski neck
B
sign
Brudziski cheek
B
sign
Brudziski
B
symphyseal sign

general
varicose veins
medicine,surgery
neurology

meningitis

neurology

meningitis

neurology

meningitis

B Brudziski reflex

neurology

meningitis

B Bruit de Roger

paediatric
cardiology

B Bruns ataxia

neurology

B Bruns nystagmus

neurology

B Brushfield spots

ophthalmology,
genetics

ventricular septal
defect
frontal lobe
lesions
cerebellopontine
angle tumor,
vestibular
schwannoma
Downs' syndrome
or nonpathological

B Burton line

toxicology

C Cabot rings

hematology

C Caput medusae

C Cardarelli's sign

Carey Coombs
murmur

lead poisoning,
anaemias
gastroenterology, portal
surgery
hypertension
aortic arch
dilatation or
cardiology,
aneurysm,
thoracic surgery
mediastinal
tumour
cardiology,rheum
rheumatic fever
atology

C Carnett's sign

primary care,
surgery

C Carvallo's sign

cardiology

C Casal collar

nutrition

C Casoni test
C Celsus signs of
inflammation

lead poisoning

abdominal mass
and/or pain
tricuspid
regurgitation
pellagra (niacin
deficiency)

infectious
disease, tropical hydatid disease
medicine
various
inflammation

identifies level of valvular

incompetence
neck flexion elicits hip and knee
flexion
pressure beneath zygoma elicits
flexion of forearm
pressure over symphisis pubis elicits
knee, hip flexion and leg abduction
passive flexion of knee to abdomen
elicits flexion of contralateral hip and
knee
loud pansystolic murmur
difficulty moving feet in contact with
floor, tendency to fall backwards
nystagmus that coarsens in amplitude
on lateral gaze

greyish-white spots at periphery of iris

blue discolouration of the gingival
border
threadlike strands in erythrocytes
distended veins radiating from
umbilicus
left displacement of trachea elicits
palpable pulsation of same

mid-diastolic rumble
supine patient lifts head from bed;
pain abdominal wall ; pain
intraperitoneal
increase in volume of murmur on
inspiration
widely variable collar of dermatitis
characteristically in c3,c4 dermatomes
intradermal injection of hydatid fluid
causing wheal
1. Rubor (redness) 2. Tumor
(swelling)3. Calor (heat) 4. Dolor

(pain)
C Chaddock reflex

neurology

C Chadwick sign

obstetrics

C Charcot's triad

surgery

C Charcot's triad

neurology

CharcotLeyden
crystals

CheyneStokes
respiration
ChurchillCope
C
reflex
C

pathology

palliative care

pyramidal lesions,
corticospinal tract
lesions
pregnancy
ascending
cholangitis
multiple sclerosis
any disorder
characterized by
eosinophil
proliferation, e.g.
ascariasis
respiratory center
damage

cardiology

heart failure

C Chvostek's sign

endocrinology

hypocalcemia

C Claybrook sign

emergency
blunt abdominal
medicine, surgery trauma

C Clutton's joints

paediatrics

congenital
syphilis

Codman's
C
triangle

oncology,
orthopaedic
surgery,
radiology

osteosarcoma,
Ewing's sarcoma

C Comby sign

paediatrics

rubeola

C Comolli's sign
C Coombs test
Coons
C fluorescent
antibody method

Orthopaedic
surgery
hematology

neurology

C Corrigan pulse

cardiology

C Courvoisier's law
C Crichton-Browne

cyanosis of vulva, vagina and cervix

jaundice, fever and chills, RUQ pain
nystagmus, intention tremor, staccato
speech
lysophospholipase crystals in various
tissues
fluctuation between apnoea and
tachypnoea
distension of pulmonary vascular bed
causes tachypnoea
tapping over facial nerve elicits
abnormal muscle contraction(s)
heart and/or breath sounds heard
through abdominal wall indicate
rupture of viscus
painless symmetrical hydrarthroses,
particularly of the knees
triangular subperiosteal growth
whitish patches on gingiva and buccal
mucosa
triangular swelling corresponding to
the outline of the scapula

hemolytic anemia

immunology

C Cornell's sign

C Councilman body

Scapular fracture

extension of big toe with stimulation

of skin over lateral malleolus

pyramidal tract
lesions

aortic
insufficiency
yellow fever, viral
infectious disease haemorrhagic
fevers
obstructive
gastroenterology
jaundice
neuropsychiatry 'general paresis'

detection of antibodies by
fluorescence microscopy using
fluorescein-labelled antibodies
scratching alongside big toe extensor
tendon elicits an extensor plantar
response
carotid pulsations with abrupt
ascending and descending phases
eosinophilic globules in liver
palpable gall bladder w/ painless
jaundice unlikely to be cholelithiasis
tremor at corners of mouth and of

sign
C Crowe sign
C

Cruveilhier
Baumgarten bruit

C Cullen's sign
C

Curschmann
spirals

C Cushing's triad

outer canthus
dermatology
hepatology
surgery

neurofibromatosis
type I
Cruveilhier
Baumgarten
disease
intraabdominal
haemorrhage

axillary freckling
bruit around the umbilicus
ecchymosis around umbilicus predicts
onset of acute pancreatitis

pulmonology

asthma

spiral mucus plugs found in sputum

neurology

raised intracranial
pressure

elevated systolic bp, bradycardia,

irregular respiration
bimanual palpation of foreign object
lodged in pelvis with one digit in an
incision lateral to the anus and the
other digit inserted in the rectum

Dagher
Maneuver

trauma surgery

penetrating pelvic
trauma

DahlnFuchs
nodules

ophthalmology

sympathetic
ophthalmia

pulmonology

COPD

pigmented calluses on anterior surface

of thighs (from leaning on elbows)

thyrotoxicosis

widened palpebral opening

ileo-cecal
intussusception
urticaria
pigmentosa

empty RLQ (retracted right iliac

fossa)

D Dahl's sign
D Dalrymple sign
D Dance's sign
D Darier's sign

ophthalmology,
endocrinology
(paediatric)surger
y
allergy,dermatolo
gy

dermatographia

D Dawson's fingers

neurology

multiple sclerosis

characteristic fingerlike appearance of

lateral ventricle on mri, ct, or at
autopsy

D De Musset's sign

cardiology

aortic
insufficiency

head nodding in time with heartbeat

dermatology

atopic dermatitis

D Destot's sign

orthopaedic
surgery

pelvic fracture

D DixHallpike test

Otolaryngology

D Dhle bodies

pathology

D Doi's sign

neurology

EatonLambert
syndrome

D Dunphy sign

surgery

appendicitis

D Duroziez's sign

cardiology

aortic
insufficiency

DennieMorgan
fold

Benign
paroxysmal
positional vertigo
various including
trauma and
neoplasm

accentuated fold below the lower

eyelid
ecchymosis superior to inguinal
ligament, in scrotum or of thigh
Elicitation of extreme vertigo upon
lateral movement of a patient's head
when lying in a supine position
basophilic inclusions in peripheral
cytoplasm of neutrophils
reappearance of absent deep tendon
reflexes after short period of maximal
muscle contraction
increase in abdominal pain on
coughing
double bruit heard over femoral artery
when it is compressed distally (see

Traube's sign)
E Elschnig spots

ophthalmology

E Epstein's pearls

paediatrics

E Ewart's sign

cardiology

F Faget sign

F Finkelstein's test
F

Forchheimer
spots

paediatrics

surgery

F Fox's sign

gastroenterology

F Frank's sign

cardiology

F Froment's sign
Gallavardin
phenomenon
GamnaFavre
G
bodies
G

GandyGamna
nodules

G Garrod's pads
G Gerhardt's sign
G Goetz sign
G Gonda's sign

pericardial
effusion

Yellow fever
Typhoid Fever
infectious disease
tularaemia
brucellosis others
DeQuervain's
rheumatology
tenosynovitis

F Fothergill's sign

Friedreich's sign

hypertensive
retinopathy
normal newborn

cardiology

rubella
rectus sheath
hematoma
haemorrhagic
pancreatitis
ischaemic heart
disease
constrictive
pericarditis,
tricuspid
insufficiency

neurology

ulnar nerve palsy

cardiology

aortic stenosis

histology

histology

dermatology

lymphogranuloma
venereum
splenomegaly due to
portal hypertension
and sickle cell
disease
repeated extreme
tension of extensor
tendon in
interphalangeal joint

cystic papules on palate

percussive dullness, aegophony and
bronchial breath sounds at L scapular
tip
the unusual constellation of fever and
bradycardia

small red spots on the soft palate

anterior abdominal mass which does
not cross the midline and is still
palpable when abdominal wall
muscles are tensed
ecchymosis of inguinal ligament
(blood tracks retroperitoneally)
ear crease indicating risk of heart
disease (disputed)

collapse of distended neck veins in

diastole
patient required to hold paper
between thumb and palm (against
attempt to withdraw);ability to do
so is assessed
dissociation of musical and noisy
elements in ejection murmur
basophilic cytoplasmic inclusion
bodies
small yellow-brown foci in the
spleen

thickening of skin and tissue over

interphalangeal joint
controversial: see references

neurology

pyramidal tract
lesions

flexing then suddenly releasing the

4th toe elicits an extensor plantar

G Goodell's sign
G Goodsall's rule
G Gordon's sign
G

Gottron's
papules

G Gowers' sign[3]
Graham Steell
G
murmur
G

Grey Turner's
sign

obstetrics

gastroenterology,
anal fistula
general surgery
pyramidal tract
neurology
lesions
rheumatology

dermatomyositis

neurology

muscular dystrophy

cardiology

surgery

G Griffith's sign

endocrinology

G Gunn's sign

ophthalmology

H Hamman's sign
H Hampton's hump
H Hampton's line
Hannington-Kiff
sign
Harrison's
H
groove
H

pregnancy

mitral stenosis
retroperitoneal
hemorrhage
Graves'
ophthalmopathy
hypertension

oesophageal
thoracic surgery perforation w/
pneumomediastinum
pulmonology,
pulmonary embolus
radiology
with infarct
radiology,
peptic ulcer
gastroenterology
general surgery

obturator hernia

internal medicine rickets

H Hatchcock's sign

paediatrics,
mumps
infectious disease

H Heberden's node

rheumatology

osteoarthritis

H Hegar's sign

obstetrics

normal pregnancy

H Hess test

internal medicine capillary fragility

H Hildreth's sign

dermatology

glomus tumor

H Hippocratic face

palliative care

impending death

response
softening of the vaginal part of the
cervix during the first trimester
anatomical relationships,
differentiation of fistula types
squeezing the calf muscle elicits an
extensor plantar response
Scaling, erythematous eruption or
dusky red patches over the
knuckles, elbows and knees
pulmonary regurgitation murmur in
patients with pulmonary
hypertension secondary to mitral
stenosis
flank ecchymosis
lid lag of the lower eyelid on
upward eye movement
AV "nicking" or "nipping" in
hypertensive retinopathy
crepitus in sync w/ heartbeat but
not respiration
wedge shaped consolidation at
periphery with base on the pleura
line on barium meal indicating
mucosal oedema associated with
ulcer
absent thigh adductor reflex with
positive patellar reflex
rib deformity at the lower thorax
tenderness behind angle of jaw
(typically before swelling is
evident)
same as bouchard's nodes, but over
dip joints
softening of cervical isthmus
appearin between 4th and 6th
weeks (usually)
appearance of petechiae after
compression of arm by bandage or
blood pressure cuff
Relief of pain at tumor site upon
vascular occlusion of limb, with
acute return of pain on reperfusion

pulmonary
medicine

chronic hypoxia

H Hirschberg test

ophthalmology

strabismus

H Hoffmann's sign

neurology

corticospinal tract
lesions

Hippocratic
fingers

H Homans' sign

thrombosis

Hoover's sign
(leg paresis)
Hoover's sign
H
(pulmonary)
Howship
H
Romberg sign
Hutchinson's
H
freckle

neurology,
psychiatry

hypertension,
coronary artery
disease, and/or
diabetes
deep venous
thrombosis
lower extremity
paresis

pulmonology

COPD

surgery

obturator hernia

dermatology

melanoma

neurology

oculomotor nerve
lesion

ophthalmology

herpes zoster

pediatrics

congenital syphilis

pediatrics

congenital syphilis

cardiology

infective
endocarditis

neurology

hyporeflexia

Hollenhorst
plaque

Hutchinson's
pupil

Hutchinson's
sign
Hutchinson's
H
teeth[4]
Hutchinson's
H
triad
H

J Janeway lesion
J

Jendrassik
maneuver

J Joffroy's sign
J

John Thomas
sign[5]

ophthalmology

endocrinology
radiology

exophthalmos in
Graves disease
various, including
Reiter's syndrome
myasthenia gravis or
EatonLambert
syndrome

J Jolly's test

neurology

J Jones criteria

rheumatology

rheumatic fever

K Kanavel's sign

orthopedics,
rheumatology

tenosynovitis of
flexor digitorum
tendon

clubbing of distal phalanges

corneal reflection centred (-) or not
centred (+) on pupil
tapping distal phalanx of 3rd or 4th
finger elicits flexion of same in
thumb
cholesterol embolus(i) of retinal
artery(ies)
knee bent, ankle abruptly
dorsiflexed, popliteal pain
differentiates organic from nonorganic etiology
inward movement of lower ribs
during inspiration
pain from an obturator hernia
radiating to knee
precancerous facial pigmentation
dilated pupil on the side of an
intracranial lesion due to IIIrd
nerve compression
lesion on tip of the nose which can
presage ocular herpes zoster
small, widely spaced incisors with
notched biting surfaces
interstitial keratitis,nerve deafness,
Hutchinson's teeth
palmar or plantar erythematous or
haemorrhagic papules
compares patellar reflex w/ and w/o
distraction
lack of forehead wrinkling when
patient looks up with head bowed
penile shadow points at affected
hip (+) or unaffected hip (-) (2)
electromyography test using
repeated stimuli to show
fatiguability in myasthenia
criteria used to diagnose rheumatic
fever
(1) finger held in slight flexion, (2)
fusiform swelling, (3) tenderness
along the flexor tendon sheath, and
(4) pain with passive extension of
the digit.

K Kehr's sign

Wilson's
neurology,gastroe
disease(hepatolentic
nterology
ular degeneration)
trauma surgery ruptured spleen

K Kelly's sign

surgery

K Kerley lines

radiology

K Kernig's sign

neurology

Kayser
Fleischer ring

Koebner's
phenomenon
Koeppe's
K
nodules
K Koplik's spots
K

pulmonary edema
meningism,
meningitis,
subarachnoid
haemorrhage

dermatology

various conditions

ophthalmology

uveitis

pediatrics

measles

ring of brownish copper deposit at

corneo-scleral junction
referred pain to L shoulder
visible response of ureter when
touched (means of identifying
same)
hip and knee fully flexed, extension
of knee elicits pain and/or
opisthotonus

granulomatous nodules at pupillary

margin
Korotkov described 5 sounds. Only
the first (the onset of audible
sound,and corresponding to systolic
pressure) and the fifth (sound
becomes inaudible,corresponding
to diastolic pressure) are of
practical clinical significance
(however,see:Auscultatory gap)
laboured deep breathing with
normal or reduced frequency
increased jugular distension on
inspiration
intradermal injection of lymphatic
extract from known sufferer;
obsolete
modified anterior drawer test with
knee in less flexion
softening of uterus; similar to
Hegar's sign

Korotkoff
sounds

cardiology

auscultatory
sphygmomanometry

Kussmaul
breathing[6]

endocrinology

metabolic acidosis

K Kussmaul's sign

cardiology

various, including
right side failure

K Kveim test

pulmonary
medicine

sarcoidosis

Lachman
maneuver

orthopedic
surgery

anterior cruciate
ligament injury

L Ladin's sign

obstetrics

normal pregnancy

L Lancisi's sign

cardiology

tricuspid
regurgitation

giant v-wave in seen in jugular vein

L Larrey's sign

rheumatology

sacroiliitis

pain in sacroiliac area on sitting

down on hard chair

L Lasgue's sign

neurosurgery,
orthpaedic
surgery

lumbar disc lesions,

sciatica

better known as straight leg raise

test

Leopold's
maneuver
LeserTrlat
L
sign
L

obstetrics
oncology

determination of fetal lie

malignant neoplasm

sudden onset of multiple pruritic

seborrheic keratoses

LeserTrlat
sign
L Levine's sign

oncology
cardiology

Lhermitte's
sign

neurology

Liebermeister's
L
rule

internal
medicine

L Lisch nodule

ophthalmology

L Lisker's sign

internal
medicine

L Litten's sign

cardiology

L Lombard effect

psychiatry

L Louvel's sign
Lowenberg's
sign
MacDonald
M
triad
Macewen's
M
sign
L

M Magnan's sign
M Mantoux test

Marcus Gunn
pupil

M Markle sign
M Mayne's sign

McBurney's
point

McConnell's
sign

malignant neoplasm
myocardial
infarction
lesions of cervical
cord dorsal
columns or caudal
medulla, MS,
chemotherapy,
Behet's disease

sudden onset of multiple pruritic

seborrheic keratoses
patient clenches fist over chest when
asked to describe pain

electrical sensation down the back and

into limbs with neck flexion or extension

For each fever degree Celsius an increase

of 8 beats per minute in cardiac
frequency
type I
neurofibromatosis
deep venous
thrombosis
infective
endocarditis
malingering due to
simulated deafness
deep venous
thrombosis
deep vein
thrombosis
sociopathic
personality disorder
hydrocephalus,
brain abscess

yellow brown hamartomata on iris

tenderness on percussion of anteromedial tibia
cotton-wool exudate in the retina

automatic rise in the loudness of a

person's voice when they speak in noise
internal
increased pain along vein with valsalva;
medicine
proximal pressure prevents this
vascular
immediate pain on inflating blood
medicine
pressure cuff around calf
eneuresis, firesetting and animal torture
psychiatry
predictive of future criminal behaviour
neurology,
resonance on percussion of frontoneurosurgery
temporo-parietal suture
addiction
feeling of moving foreign body under the
cocaine dependence
medicine
skin
infectious
intradermal protein derivative diameter
tuberculosis
disease
of wheal evaluated
severe retinal
ophthalmology, disease, lesion of
Relative pupil dilatation when light
neurology
optic nerve anterior swings to the affected side
to chiasm
RLQ pain on dropping from standing on
surgery
appendicitis
toes to heels
systolic blood pressure drop of
cardiology
aortic insufficiency
>15mmHg on raising arm
2/3 of the way lateral on a line from
umbilicus to anterior superior iliac spine
surgery
appendicitis
(corresponds to junction of vermiform
appendix and cecum)
echocardiography finding of akinesia of
pulmonary
cardiology
the mid-free wall of the right ventricle
embolism
but normal motion of the apex

McDonald's
sign

M McMurray test
M

MeansLerman
scratch

M Mees' lines
M

Mellignhoff's
sign

M Mentzer index
M

Miller Fisher
test

orthopaedics

meniscal tear

endocrinology

hyperthyroidism

toxicology
hyperbaric
medicine
hematology

microcytic anemia

neurology

normal pressure
hydrocephalus

M Moniz sign

neurology

M Mbius sign
Muehrcke's
M
lines

endocrinology
nephrology,
oncology

M Mulder's sign

neurology,
podiatry

Mller's
maneuver

M Mller's sign
Murphy's
M
punch sign
M Murphy's sign
M Myerson's sign
N Naegele's rule
N Nardi test
N Nikolsky's sign

arsenic or heavy
metal poisoning
cutaneous
decompression
sickness

pyramidal tract
lesions
thyrotoxicosis
hypoalbuminaemia,
chemotherapy

knee extended, valgus stress applied, leg

rotated produces palpable or audible
click
systolic heart murmur similar to
pericardial rub
transverse white lines across the nails
coughing or Valsalve accentuates the
venous markings of an erysipeloid rash
differentiates iron deficiency anaemia
from beta thalassaemia
Improvement in cognitive function after
withdrawal of CSF during lumbar
puncture used to confirm diagnosis
forceful plantar flexion of the ankle
elicits an extensor plantar response
inability to maintain convergence of eyes
paired transverse white lines on nail bed

transverse compression of the forefoot

elicits pain in the distribution of the
affected nerve
patient attempts to breathe in with nose
collapsed section of
pulmonology
and mouth closed (opposite of Valsalva
airway
maneuver)
cardiology
aortic insufficiency visible pulsation or bobbing of uvula
punch tenderness at the costovertebral
urology
perinephric abscess
angle
hesitation on inspiration while gall
surgery
cholecystitis
bladder is palpated
inability to resist blinking when glabella
neurology
Parkinson's disease
is percussed
gynecology
gestation
method of estimating due date
administration of morphine and
dysfunction of
gastroenterology
neostigmine reproduces sharp LUQ pain;
sphincter of Oddi
not in general use
various, including
mild shear stress applied to skin causes
dermatology
pemphigus vulgaris bullae to form
Morton's neuroma

O O'Brien's test
O

O'Donoghue's
triad

orthopaedics,
knee injury
sports medicine

O Oliver's sign

cardiology

O Oppenheim's

neurology

aortic arch
aneurysm
pyramidal tract

coincidence of anterior cruciate

injury,medial collateral injury and
meniscal tear
caudal movement of trachea with systole
irritation downward of the medial tibia

sign
O Ortolani test
O Osborn wave
O Osler's node
O Osler's sign
P Palla's sign

pediatrics &
orthopedics
cardiology,
emergency
medicine
internal
medicine
internal
medicine
internal
medicine

P Pastia's sign

pediatrics

P Patrick's test

rheumatology
internal
medicine

P Peabody's sign
P

Pemberton's
sign

Phalen's
maneuver

lesions
congenital hip
dislocation

causes dorsiflexion of big toe

hypothermia

positive deflection at QRS-ST junction

various, including
SBE and SLE

painful red lesions on the pads of the

fingers and plantar surfaces
falsely elevated bp reading due to
incompressibility of calcified vessels
enlarged right descending pulmonary
artery on chest x-ray
lines of confluent petechiae in skin
creases (associated with Scarlatiniform
rash and strep pyogenes)
external rotation of the hip causes pain
calf muscle spasm when raising the
affected leg with the foot extended
arms elevated over head elicits facial
plethora, distended neck veins and
inspiratory stridor
3060 seconds of full forced flexion of
wrist elicits symptoms
palpable lateral bulge at tubal-uterine
junction; present at 78 weeks
onycholysis especially of ring and little
fingers
pain elicited by compression of posterior
calf
bilateral jugular vein pressure during
lumbar puncture causes sudden rise in
CSF pressure
visible pulsation in ungual capillary bed
Charcot's triad + hypotension and altered
mental state
bruit over globe of the eye

atherosclerosis
pulmonary
embolism
scarlet fever

sacroiliitis
deep vein
thrombosis
retrosternal mass
thoracic surgery with superior vena
cava syndrome
rheumatology, carpal tunnel
hand surgery
syndrome

P Piskaek's sign

obstetrics

normal pregnancy

P Plummer's nail

endocrinology

thyrotoxicosis

P Pratt's sign

internal
medicine

deep venous
thrombosis

neurology

spinal stenosis

Queckenstedt's
maneuver

Q Quincke's sign
Reynolds'
R
pentad
R Riesman's sign
R Rigler's sign[7]

cardiology

aortic insufficiency
ascending
gastroenterology
cholangitis
endocrinology thyrotoxicosis
radiology,
abdominal
pneumoperitoneum
surgery

palpable clunk on moving hip

gas outlines both mucosal and serosal

surfaces of bowel

R Rinne test

ENT, neurology,
hearing impairment
audiometry

comparison of air conduction to bone

conduction differentiates sensorineural
from conductive deafness

R Romaa's sign

tropical
medicine

Chagas' disease

painless unilateral periorbital swelling

neurology

dorsal column
lesions, cerebllar
lesions, alcohol
intoxication

inability to maintain posture with eyes

closed

R Romberg test

vascular
medicine
clinical
chemistry

R Rose's sign
Rosenbach's
test
Rossolimo's
R
sign
R

deep vein
thrombosis
bilirubinuria

pyramidal tract
lesions
ophthalmology, various, including
internal
SBE and systemic
medicine
vasculitides
general surgery appendicitis
neurology

R Roth's spots
R Rovsing's sign
RumpelLeede
R
sign

haematology

capillary fragility

Warm, stiff feeling of skin when affected

leg is pinched
colour produced on addition of nitric
acid
percussion of the tips of the toes causes
exaggerated flexion of the toes
retinal haemorrhages with pale centres
seen at fundoscopy
palpation of LLQ elicits pain in RLQ
petechiae seen after compression by
tourniquet

R Russell's sign

psychiatry

bulimia nervosa

S Salus's sign

ophthalmology

hypertension

S Schaeffer's sign

neurology

Schamroth's
window test

S Schiller's test

pulmonology, cardiology
gynecology

pyramidal tract
lesions
chronic
hypoxia
cervical cancer
pernicious
anaemia,
coeliac disease,
other
malabsorption
disorders
keratoconjuncti
vitis sicca, as in
Sjgren's
syndrome
various
disorders of
lumbar
vertebrae

S Schilling test

internal medicine

S Schirmer's test

ophthalmology

S Schober test

physiatry, rheumatology,
orthopaedics

S Sherren's triangle

surgery

appendicitis

S Shone's complex

cardiology

congenital heart
defect

S Siegrist streaks

ophthalmology

S Simmonds' test

orthopaedics

S SimsHuhner test

reproductive medicine

malignant
hypertension
Achilles tendon
rupture
infertility

scarring of the dorsum of one hand

(contact with incisors when purging)
deflection of retinal veins at right angle
junctions due to elongation or
shortening of connected arterioles
squeezing the Achilles tendon elicits an
extensor plantar response
identifies clubbing of distal phalanges
affected areas of cervix fail to stain
brown with iodine solution

B12 radioassay; rare

quantifies lacrimal secretion

quantifies lumbar flexion

area of hyperaesthesia over the right
lower abdomen
supravalvular mitral ring, parachute
deformity of mitral valve, subaortic
stenosis and coarctation of the aorta
hyperpigmented sreaks parallel to
choroidal vessels
squeezing of calf fails to produce
plantar flexion
determination of sperm count and

motility in a sample taken from the

cervical canal within an hour of
intercourse
oncology

various
abdominal
malignancies

S Spurling's test

neurology

cervical
radiculopathy

S Stellwag's sign

endocrinology

thyrotoxicosis

Sister Mary
Joseph nodule[8]

S Still's murmur

paediatric cardiology

S Stransky's sign

neurology

S Stroop test

neuropsychology

S Strmpell's sign

neurology

T Terry's nails

internal medicine

Terry-Thomas
sign

T Thomas test
T

Throckmorton's
reflex

Orthopaedics
Orthopaedics
neurology

T Tinel's sign

neurology

T Todd's paresis

neurology

T Traube's sign

various

Trendelenburg's
sign

T Troisier's sign

neurology

internal medicine, oncology

subaortic
stenosis, small
Ventricular
septal defect
pyramidal tract
lesions
various,
including
ADHD and
schizophrenia
spastic pareses
of the lower
extremity
various
including
hepatic failure
Scapho-lunate
dissociation
Fixed flexion
deformity of
hip
pyramidal tract
lesions
neuritis,
compression
disorders
seizure
disorders
splenomegaly
inferior gluteal
palsy, other
causes of hip
abductors
weakness
Various
abdominal
malignancies,

palpable lymph node in the umbilicus

axial compression and rotation of
cervical spine to the side of symptoms
causes pain
infrequent and/or incomplete blinking,
accompanied by Dalrymple's sign
systolic ejection sound ;
vibratory/musical; best heard at left
lower sternal border
sudden abduction and release of little
toe causes extensor plantar response
reaction times for incongruent stimuli
(e.g., word red printed in blue)
failure of abrupt passive flexion of the
hip and/or knee to elicit dorsiflexion
and adduction of foot
white 'ground glass' nails;absence of
lunula
Gap between the scaphoid and lunate
bones on AP wrist radiograph
Supine patient flexes one hip whilst
keeping other leg flat; back arches if
flexion deformity is present
pressure over dorsal big toe MTP joint
elicits an extensor plantar response
'DTP' distal tingling on percussion
focal weakness for as much as 48 hours
after seizure
dull percussion sound over Traube's
space

pelvic tilt contralateral to 'stance leg'

Enlargement of the left supraclavicular

lymph node (=Virchow's node)

especially
stomach cancer
various
malignancies,
including
pancreatic

Trousseau's sign
of malignancy

internal medicine

Trousseau's sign
of latent tetany

internal medicine,
endocrinology

hypocalcaemia

Uhthoff's
phenomenon

neurology

multiple
sclerosis

neurology, ENT

vestibular
lesions

V Virchow's node

internal medicine, oncology

Various
abdominal
malignancies,
especially
stomach cancer

V Virchow's triad

hematology

etiology of
thrombosis

obstetrics

pregnancy

endocrinology

Graves' disease

W Wada test

neurology

epilepsy,
anatomical
lesions of
cerebrum

short acting barbiturate injected in

internal carotid; lateralizes language
function

W Waddell's signs

primary care, psychiatry

chronic pain

identify non-organic sources of low

back pain

U Unterberger test

Von BraunFernwald's sign

V Von Graefe sign

W Waddell's triad
Watson's water
hammer pulse
Wellens' sign or
W
warning
W

W Westermark sign

paediatric trauma
cardiology
cardiology
pulmonology

child pedestrian
stuck by motor
vehicle
aortic
regurgitation
severe stenosis
of LAD
pulmonary
embolism

W Whipple's triad

endocrinology

hypoglycemia

W Wickham's striae

dermatology

lichen planus

W Widal test

microbiology

enteric fever

spontaneous thrombosis of multiple

veins, including portal circulation
in hypocalcaemia, occlusion of
brachial artery induces carpal spasm
in neurological symptoms with
exercise or other increase in body
temperature
patient walks in place with eyes
closed;direction of rotation indicates
vestibular lesion on that side
Enlargement of the left supraclavicular
lymph node (=Troisier's sign)
Hypercoagulability, Hemodynamic
changes (stasis, turbulence) and
Endothelial injury/dysfunction
softening of the uterine fundus at the
site of implantation at 45 weeks
gestation
' lid lag'; immobility of upper lid on
downward gaze

Head trauma, thoracic and/or

abdominal trauma, femoral fracture
bounding forceful pulse elicited with
postural manoeuvres
characteristic ekg changes
Area of oligaemia on chest x-ray
1.symptoms associated with
hypoglycaemia 2. measured low serum
glucose 3. relief of symptoms with
administration of glucose p.o. or iv
white or greyish lines on the lichen
planus lesions
serum agglutination; obsolete(?)

Winterbottom's
sign
WolffParkinson
W
White triad
Wright's
W
maneuver
W

tropical medicine
cardiology

trypanosomiasi
s
supraventricula
r tachycardia

Y Yeoman's test

rheumatology

sacroiliitis

Y Yergason's test

orthopedic surgery

bicipital
tendinitis

posterior cervical chain adenopathy

pre-excitation on ECG

sacroiliac pain on rotation of ilium and

extension of hip
anterior shoulder pain with resisted
supination of the forearm