Physical Exam

Abdomen Auscultation

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Video coming September 2026

How to Perform

Before palpation, place the diaphragm of the stethoscope gently on the abdomen and listen in one or more quadrants for bowel sounds, noting their presence, frequency, and character over a sufficient period. Then listen with light pressure over the aorta and the renal, iliac, and femoral arteries for bruits, and over the liver and spleen for rubs or hums where appropriate.

How to Interpret

Bowel Obstruction

High-pitched, hyperactive, or 'tinkling' bowel sounds — frequent rushing or musical rushes, sometimes coming in waves with cramping pain

Rule in

Minimally helpful

Rule out

—

Evidence:Limited

References

Taylor MR, Lalani N. Adult small bowel obstruction. Acad Emerg Med. 2013;20(6):528-544. doi:10.1111/acem.12150. PMID 23758299.
Felder S, Margel D, Murrell Z, Fleshner P. Usefulness of bowel sound auscultation: a prospective evaluation. J Surg Educ. 2014;71(5):768-773. doi:10.1016/j.jsurg.2014.02.003. PMID 24776861.
Lau JY, Chung SC, Sung JJ, Chan AC, Ng EK, Suen RC, Li AK. Through-the-scope balloon dilation for pyloric stenosis: long-term results. Gastrointest Endosc. 1996;43(2):98-101. doi:10.1016/s0016-5107(06)80107-0. PMID 8635729.
Hardison JE. Venous hum of the Cruveilhier-Baumgarten syndrome: response to the Valsalva maneuver. Arch Intern Med. 1977;137(11):1623-1624. PMID 921454.
Bickley LS, Szilagyi PG, Hoffman RM, Soriano RP. Bates' Guide to Physical Examination and History Taking. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer; 2021.
Swartz MH. Textbook of Physical Diagnosis: History and Examination. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025.