List of medical triads, tetrads, and pentads

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Medical triads, tetrads, and pentads are sets of three, four, or five clinical signs, symptoms, or other entities that are often associated with a particular medical condition or disease. These groupings can help healthcare professionals in diagnosing or managing specific conditions. This article provides an overview of some of the most well-known medical triads, tetrads, and pentads, highlighting their significance in clinical practice.

Medical Triads[edit | edit source]

Beck's Triad[edit | edit source]

Beck's Triad is associated with Cardiac tamponade, consisting of:

  • Distant heart sounds
  • Distended jugular veins
  • Hypotension

Charcot's Triad[edit | edit source]

Charcot's Triad is related to Cholangitis, featuring:

  • Right upper quadrant pain
  • Jaundice
  • Fever

Cushing's Triad[edit | edit source]

Cushing's Triad is indicative of increased intracranial pressure, with:

  • Hypertension
  • Bradycardia
  • Irregular respiration

Virchow's Triad[edit | edit source]

Virchow's Triad is associated with Thrombosis, including:

  • Endothelial injury
  • Stasis or turbulent blood flow
  • Hypercoagulability

Medical Tetrads[edit | edit source]

Whipple's Tetrad[edit | edit source]

Whipple's Tetrad is used in the diagnosis of Insulinoma, consisting of:

  • Hypoglycemia
  • CNS symptoms
  • Relief of symptoms after glucose administration
  • Documented low blood glucose

Tetralogy of Fallot[edit | edit source]

Tetralogy of Fallot is a congenital heart defect with four components:

  • Pulmonary stenosis
  • Ventricular septal defect
  • Right ventricular hypertrophy
  • Overriding aorta

Medical Pentads[edit | edit source]

Trousseau's Sign of Malignancy[edit | edit source]

Trousseau's Sign of Malignancy is not a classic pentad but is often discussed in the context of multiple signs indicating malignancy, including:

  • Migratory thrombophlebitis
  • Hypercoagulability

Pentad of TTP[edit | edit source]

Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP) includes a pentad of:

  • Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia
  • Thrombocytopenia
  • Neurological symptoms
  • Fever
  • Renal dysfunction

Conclusion[edit | edit source]

Medical triads, tetrads, and pentads serve as valuable tools for clinicians in the diagnosis and management of various diseases. Their presence can often suggest a specific diagnosis or guide further investigation and treatment.


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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD