Blumer's shelf

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia


In medicine, Blumer's shelf is a finding felt in rectal examination that indicates that a tumor has metastasized to the pouch of Douglas. It is usually a site of metastasis of cancers of the lung, pancreas, and stomach.[1]

Blumer's shelf or peritoneal cul-de-sac, is a shelf palpable on rectal or vaginal examination. It is due to metastatic tumor cells gravitating from an abdominal cancer and growing in the rectovesical or rectouterine pouch.

Synonym(s): rectal shelf

References[edit | edit source]

  • Blumer, G. (1909). "Rectal shelf: neglected rectal sign of value in diagnosis of obscure malignant and inflammatory disease within the abdomen." Albany Medical Annals. 30:361.


Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD