Mass in the abdomen An abdominal mass is swelling in one part of the belly area (abdomen). There are three body views
(front, back, and side) that can help you to identify a specific body area. The labels show areas of the body which are identified either by anatomical or by common names. For example, the back of the knee is called the “popliteal fossa,” while the “flank” is an area on the side of the body. The esophagus, stomach, large and small intestine, aided by the liver, gallbladder and pancreas convert the nutritive components of food into energy and break down the non-nutritive components into waste to be excreted. Fibroid tumors may not need to be removed if they are not causing pain, bleeding excessively, or growing rapidly. Abdominal aortic aneurysm involves a widening, stretching, or ballooning of the aorta. There are several causes of abdominal aortic aneurysm, but the most common results from atherosclerotic disease. As the aorta gets progressively larger over time there is
increased chance of rupture. An abdominal mass is most often found during a routine physical exam. Most of the time, the mass develops slowly. You may not be able to feel the mass. Locating the pain helps your health care provider make a diagnosis. For
example, the abdomen can be divided into four areas: Other terms used to find the location of abdominal pain or masses include: The location of the mass and its
firmness, texture, and other qualities can provide clues to its cause. Several conditions can cause an abdominal mass:
Home CareAll abdominal masses should be examined as soon as possible by the provider. Changing your body position may help relieve pain due to an abdominal mass. When to Contact a Medical ProfessionalGet medical help right away if you have a pulsating lump in your abdomen along with severe abdominal pain. This could be a sign of a ruptured aortic aneurysm, which is an emergency condition. Contact your provider if you notice any type of abdominal mass. What to Expect at Your Office VisitIn nonemergency situations, your provider will perform a physical exam and ask questions about your symptoms and medical history. In an emergency situation, you will be stabilized first. Then, your provider will examine your abdomen and ask questions about your symptoms and medical history, such as:
A pelvic or rectal exam may be needed in some cases. Tests that may be done to find the cause of an abdominal mass include:
ReferencesBall JW, Dains JE, Flynn JA, Solomon BS, Stewart RW. Abdomen. In: Ball JW, Dains JE, Flynn JA, Solomon BS, Stewart RW, eds. Seidel's Guide to Physical Examination. 9th ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2019:chap 18. Landmann A, Bonds M, Postier R. Acute abdomen. In: Townsend CM Jr, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 21st ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2022:chap 46. McQuaid KR. Approach to the patient with gastrointestinal disease. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 123. Version InfoLast reviewed on: 10/10/2020 Reviewed by: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. When should I worry about upper right abdominal pain?Go to the emergency room or seek urgent care if: There is severe pain in the upper-right abdomen. The stomach pain is unbearable. There is stomach pain and white or pale stool.
What organ is in your upper right abdomen?Right Upper Quadrant
Organs found in this quadrant include: the liver, the gallbladder, duodenum, the upper portion of the pancreas, and the hepatic flexure of the colon. Pain in the right upper quadrant may be indicative of hepatitis, cholecystitis, or the formation of a peptic ulcer.
What organ is on your upper right side under rib cage?The right upper quadrant (RUQ) includes the pancreas, right kidney, gallbladder, liver, and intestines. Pain under the ribs in this area can indicate a health problem affecting one of these organs or the surrounding tissues.
When should I be concerned about pain under my right rib?Any pain you feel under your right rib cage isn't usually anything to worry about, but if the pain is severe or persists, you should see a doctor as it could be caused by an underlying condition.
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