kidney (physical examination characteristics)
Last reviewed 01/2018
On physical examination, a kidney is characterised by:
- a palpable upper border; one can feel space between the kidney and the costal margin
- it moves inferiorly on inspiration
- it is ballotable
- the percussion note is usually resonant, because of overlying loops of gas-filled bowel
Recognising an enlarged left kidney from an enlarged spleen, in addition to the above, is aided by:
- a kidney does not have a notch
- a kidney never has a friction rub