84298 - Semeiotics of the Abdomen

Learning outcomes

Describe the basic elements of the physical examination and instrument-assisted evaluation, and recognize normal results.

Course contents

Introduction to History Taking

• How to create an appropriate environment for history taking.
• Best practices for conducting a patient interview.

General Approach to the Physical Examination

• Proper adjustment of patient attire during the physical exam.

Abdominal Examination

• Inspection and palpation: Techniques and interpretation.
• Percussion and auscultation: Identification of abnormal abdominal sounds.
• Ultrasound anatomy: Live or pre-recorded demonstrations (depending on COVID-19 guidelines) of the abdominal cavity, aimed at correlating symptoms with the organs of origin.
• Basic ultrasound semiotics of the abdomen: Key principles and interpretations.

Pharynx and Oral Cavity Examination

Extra-Abdominal Symptoms Radiating from Abdominal Diseases

• Understanding symptoms outside the abdomen that may stem from abdominal pathology.

Physical Examination of the Groin

Readings/Bibliography

Bates' Guide to Physical Examination and History Taking 12th Edition (available either as printed copy or as ebook format)

Teaching methods

Live or Prerecorded (pending the technical possibilities) demonstration of ultrasound of the abdomen and neck to improve the knowledge about correlations between organs and topography of the symptoms

Assessment methods

Oral examinations.

Final marks for this part of the exam will be up to 30 cum laude. However, the results of this test will only contribute to a portion of the overall final grade.

The exam for the integrated course consists of four tests:

1. Biochemistry
2. Semeiotics
3. Anatomy
4. Physiology

Teaching tools

PPT slides

Office hours

See the website of Francesco Tovoli