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Palpation of the kidneys

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

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Examination of the kidneys should be a routine part of the abdominal examination. A bimanual technique is used.

With the patient supine, slide one hand underneath the back so that the heel of the hand rests under the loin. Place the other hand over the upper quadrant on the same side.

First, attempt to capture the kidney between the two hands. If this is not possible, ballot the kidney; flex the fingers of the posterior hand at the metacarpophalangeal joints in the renal angle so that the abdominal contents are pushed anteriorly. The kidney should then float upwards and strike the anterior hand.


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