Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Costovertebral angle
Introduction
Synonyms and keywords: arcus costovertebralis
Overview
Overview
The costovertebral angle is the acute angle formed on either side of the human back between the twelfth rib and the vertebral column.[1]
The kidney lies directly below this area, so is the place where, with percussion, pain is elicited when the person has kidney stones or kidney inflamation. The presence of pain is marked as a positive Murphy’s punch sign or as costovertebral angle tenderness.[2]
-
Transverse section, showing the relations of the capsule of the kidney. -
Picture depicting Costovertebral angle.
References
References
- ↑ “Costovertebral Angle – Medical Definition”. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Retrieved 13 June 2012.
- ↑ Musana KA, Yale SH (2005). “Murphy’s Sign”. Clin Med Res. 3 (3): 132. PMC 1237152. PMID 16160065. Unknown parameter
|month=ignored (help)
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]