Physical examination maneuver

Physical Exam

Abdominal Wall Tenderness Test

also known as Carnett sign
🎬
Video coming soon

How to Perform

With the patient supine, palpate the abdomen directly on skin to identify the point of maximum tenderness and maintain pressure there. Ask the patient to cross their arms over the chest and lift the head and shoulders off the table to tense the abdominal wall. The test is positive if the tenderness increases.

How to Interpret

Showing 2 of 5 findings

Abdominal Wall Pain

Carnett test positive
Rule in
Somewhat helpful
Rule out
Somewhat helpful
Evidence:Moderate

Psychogenic Abdominal Pain

Carnett test positive
Rule in
Somewhat helpful
Rule out
Helpful
Evidence:Moderate

Related Bedside Tests

🎬Video coming soon
Abdomen Palpation
Rule in:VHExtrahepatic Biliary Obstruction, VHIntussusception, VHPyloric Stenosis +32 more
Rule out:VHHepatocellular Jaundice, HAppendicitis, SHDiverticulitis +32 more
🎬Video coming soon
Abdomen Auscultation
Rule in:VHRenovascular Hypertension, MHBowel Obstruction, IEAbdominal Aortic Aneurysm +9 more
Rule out:MHRenovascular Hypertension, NHBowel Obstruction, IEAbdominal Aortic Aneurysm +9 more
🎬Video coming soon
Rebound Tenderness
aka Blumberg sign
Rule in:SHAppendicitis, MHDiverticulitis, MHPeritonitis +1 more
Rule out:SHAppendicitis, SHPeritonitis, MHDiverticulitis +1 more
🎬Video coming soon
Abdomen Inspection
Rule in:VHBowel Obstruction, SHAscites, ICCushing Syndrome +3 more
Rule out:SHAscites, SHBowel Obstruction, NHCushing Syndrome +3 more
🎬Video coming soon
Rovsing Sign
aka Perman-Rovsing sign; Perman sign
Rule in:SHAppendicitis, IEPeritonitis
Rule out:NHAppendicitis, IEPeritonitis
🎬Video coming soon
Abdomen Percussion
Rule in:SHAscites, NHHepatomegaly, IEPerforated Viscus +2 more
Rule out:SHAscites, NHHepatomegaly, IEPerforated Viscus +2 more

Related Systems / Regions

AbdomenGastrointestinalMusculoskeletal

Related Diagnoses

Abdominal Wall PainAcute AbdomenAnterior Cutaneous Nerve Entrapment SyndromePsychogenic Abdominal PainRectus Sheath Hematoma

Related Chief Complaints

Abdominal DistensionAbdominal PainAbdominal TendernessAbdominal Wall MassBloatingBruisingChronic Abdominal PainChronic Abdominal Wall PainConstipationFeverGuardingInability to Pass GasLightheadednessLocalized Abdominal PainLocalized Abdominal TendernessLoss of AppetiteNauseaNausea and VomitingNo Bowel MovementsPain After CoughingPain with Sitting UpPain Worse with MovementRecurrent Abdominal PainRigid AbdomenVomiting

References

Research in progress on one or more findings above; ratings may change.

  • Takada T, Ikusaka M, Ohira Y, Noda K, Tsukamoto T. Diagnostic usefulness of Carnett's test in psychogenic abdominal pain. Intern Med. 2011;50(3):213-217. doi:10.2169/internalmedicine.50.4179. PMID: 21297322.
  • van Assen T, de Jager-Kievit JWAJ, Scheltinga MR, Roumen RMH. Chronic abdominal wall pain misdiagnosed as functional abdominal pain. J Am Board Fam Med. 2013;26(6):738-744. doi:10.3122/jabfm.2013.06.130115. PMID: 24204070.
  • Yale SH, Tekiner H, Yale ES. Fothergill and Carnett signs and rectus sheath hematoma. J Rural Med. 2020;15(3):130-131. doi:10.2185/jrm.2019-019. PMID: 32704339.
  • Takada T, Ikusaka M, Ohira Y, Noda K, Tsukamoto T. Diagnostic usefulness of Carnett's test in psychogenic abdominal pain. Intern Med. 2011;50(3):213-7. PMID: 21297322.
  • Thomson H, Francis DM. Abdominal-wall tenderness: a useful sign in the acute abdomen. Lancet. 1977;2(8047):1053-1054. doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(77)91885-2. PMID: 72957.
  • Carnett JB. Intercostal neuralgia as a cause of abdominal pain and tenderness. Surg Gynecol Obstet. 1926;42:625-632.

Research last updated September 10, 2026.