Signs and symptoms

Signs and symptoms are critical components in the medical field, serving as indicators of an illness, injury, or condition. This article delves into the definitions, distinctions, and roles of signs and symptoms in the diagnosis and management of health issues.

Introduction

In medical practice, the accurate identification of signs and symptoms is fundamental to diagnosing and treating diseases. A sign is an objective indicator of a disease that can be detected by someone other than the patient, often a healthcare provider. Conversely, a symptom is a subjective experience reported by the patient that may not be directly observable by others.

Understanding Signs

Signs are observable or measurable factors that can indicate an illness or injury. They are often identified through physical examination or diagnostic testing and can include a wide range of manifestations.

• Vital signs: These include measurable values such as temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate, which can indicate the body's general physical health. Abnormalities in these measurements can be signs of underlying health issues.

• Physical examination findings: Observable indicators such as rashes, swelling, or abnormal sounds heard during a lung or heart examination.

• Laboratory results: Objective data obtained from blood tests, urine tests, or other laboratory investigations that reveal information about the body's condition, such as elevated white blood cell count indicating an infection.

• Imaging results: Abnormal findings on X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, and other imaging modalities that can uncover structural or functional issues within the body.

Understanding Symptoms

Symptoms are subjective experiences reported by the patient that may indicate a disease or injury. Unlike signs, symptoms are not directly observable by others and require the patient to communicate their experiences.

• Pain: One of the most common symptoms, pain can vary greatly in intensity, quality, and duration, and can indicate a variety of health problems.

• Fatigue: A feeling of excessive tiredness or lack of energy that can be a symptom of many conditions, from sleep disorders to systemic diseases.

• Nausea and Vomiting: These symptoms can be indicative of gastrointestinal issues, infections, metabolic disorders, or other conditions.

• Fever: The sensation of feeling feverish, often accompanied by an actual increase in body temperature, indicating an immune response to infection or illness.

Differences Between Signs and Symptoms

The main difference between a sign and a symptom lies in their observability. Signs can be detected or measured by someone other than the patient, making them more objective. Symptoms, on the other hand, are subjective and rely on the patient's personal experience and communication.

The Role of Signs and Symptoms in Diagnosis

The identification and analysis of signs and symptoms are crucial steps in the diagnostic process. Healthcare providers gather information about a patient's symptoms through history taking and identify signs through physical examination and diagnostic tests. The combination of signs and symptoms helps to narrow down potential diagnoses and guide further testing or treatment strategies.

List of clinical signs and symptoms

• Aaron's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Abadie's sign - A sign of increased intracranial pressure, characterized by the presence of nystagmus (involuntary eye movement) in the absence of other neurological symptoms.
• Abderhalden reaction - A test used to detect the presence of certain enzymes in blood or other bodily fluids.
• Abelin reaction - A test used to detect the presence of certain substances in urine.
• Addis count - A method of counting red blood cells in a blood sample.
• Adie pupil - A type of dilated pupil caused by damage to the nerve that controls the pupil, characterized by poor reaction to light and poor accommodation.
• Adson's sign - A sign used to diagnose thoracic outlet syndrome, characterized by the presence of radial pulse when the head is turned to one side and the shoulder is elevated.
• Alexander's law - A phenomenon in which a person's pupils become larger when they look in the direction of the light, and smaller when they look away from the light.
• Allen's test - A test used to evaluate blood flow to the hand, characterized by the ability to quickly fill the hand with blood when the ulnar and radial arteries are compressed.
• Apgar score - A quick assessment of a newborn's physical condition, used to determine the need for immediate medical attention.
• Apley grind test - A test used to diagnose knee pain, characterized by pain when the knee is rotated with the leg held in a flexed position.
• Argyll Robertson pupils - Pupils that are small and irregular in shape, often seen in neurological disorders.
• Arneth count - A method of counting white blood cells in a blood sample.
• Asboe-Hansen sign - A sign of pemphigus, characterized by the presence of vesicles on an erythematous base.
• Aschheim–Zondek test - A test used to detect pregnancy, characterized by the presence of a specific hormone in the urine of a pregnant woman.
• Aschoff body - A microscopic structure seen in certain heart conditions.
• Ashby technique - A method for measuring the amount of oxygen in blood.
• Auberger's blood group - A blood group system characterized by the presence of a specific antigen on the surface of red blood cells.
• Auenbrugger's sign - A sign of pleural effusion, characterized by dullness to percussion over the affected area.
• Auer rods - Rod-shaped structures seen in certain types of leukemia.
• Auspitz's sign - A sign of psoriasis, characterized by the appearance of small bleeding points when scales are removed.
• Austin Flint murmur - A type of heart murmur caused by a leaky heart valve.
• Babinski sign - A reflex used to test for damage to the nervous system, characterized by the big toe going up and the other toes fanning out when the sole of the foot is stimulated.
• Bainbridge reflex - A reflex that controls the rate of the heartbeat.
• Balbiani rings - Structures seen in the nucleus of certain cells.
• Ballance's sign - A sign of appendicitis, characterized by rebound tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen.
• Bancroft's sign - A sign of colorectal cancer, characterized by a palpable mass in the left lower quadrant of the abdomen.
• Barlow's maneuver - A test used to diagnose dislocated hips, characterized by the inability to move the hip joint in certain directions.
• Bart hemoglobin - A form of hemoglobin found in some individuals with beta-thalassemia.
• Bastian–Bruns sign - A sign of appendicitis, characterized by tenderness when the right lower quadrant of the abdomen is pressed.
• Battle's sign - A sign of skull fractures, characterized by ecchymosis (bruising) behind the ear.
• Beau's lines - Transverse ridges that may appear on the nails in certain medical conditions.
• Beck's triad - A set of signs associated with cardiac tamponade, characterized by low blood pressure, a rapid and weak pulse, and muffled heart sounds.
• Becker's sign - A sign of congenital hip dislocation, characterized by the ability to rotate the hip inward and outward.
• Beevor's sign - A sign of ankylosing spondylitis, characterized by pain and stiffness in the spine.
• Bekhterev–Jacobsohn reflex - A reflex that causes the eye to turn inward when the head is tilted to one side.
• Bekhterev–Mendel reflex - A reflex that causes the eye to turn outward when the head is tilted to one side.
• Bence Jones protein - A type of protein found in the urine of some individuals with multiple myeloma.
• Benedict solution - A solution used to test for the presence of glucose in urine.
• Berger wave (rhythm) - A type of brain wave activity seen in certain sleep disorders.
• Bezold–Jarisch reflex - A reflex associated with cardiac arrest, characterized by a decrease in heart rate and blood pressure.
• Bielschowsky's head tilt test - A test used to diagnose double vision, characterized by the ability to align the eyes when the head is tilted to one side.
• Bing's sign - A sign of pleural effusion, characterized by dullness to percussion over the affected area.
• Biot's respiration - A type of breathing associated with lung damage, characterized by deep, rapid breathing.
• Bitot's spots - Triangular patches of thickened, scaly tissue seen in vitamin A deficiency.
• Bjerrum scotoma - A type of visual field defect seen in certain eye conditions.
• Blumberg's sign - A sign of appendicitis, characterized by rebound tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen.
• Boas' point - A point on the chest used to locate the heart.
• Boas' sign - A sign of appendicitis, characterized by tenderness when the right lower quadrant of the abdomen is pressed.
• Bodansky unit - A unit of measurement for the amount of hemoglobin in a blood sample.
• Boston's sign - A sign of appendicitis, characterized by pain when the right lower quadrant of the abdomen is pressed and then released quickly.
• Bouchard's nodes - Bony protuberances that may develop in the fingers in certain types of arthritis.
• Bracht–Wachter bodies - Structures seen in certain types of leukemia.
• Branham's sign - A sign of pleural effusion, characterized by dullness to percussion over the affected area.
• Braxton Hicks contraction - False labor contractions that occur during pregnancy.
• Brewer infarcts - Areas of dead tissue seen in certain heart conditions.
• Brissaud's reflex - A reflex that causes the toes to curl down when the sole of the foot is stimulated.
• Broadbent inverted sign - A sign of aortic stenosis, characterized by a pulse that is weaker on the right side of the neck than on the left.
• Broadbent sign - A sign of aortic regurgitation, characterized by a pulse that is stronger on the right side of the neck than on the left.
• Broca aphasia - A type of language disorder characterized by difficulty speaking and forming sentences.
• Brodie–Trendelenburg percussion test - A test used to diagnose pleural effusion, characterized by dullness to percussion over the affected area.
• Brodie–Trendelenburg test - A test used to diagnose hip dislocation, characterized by the inability to move the hip joint in certain directions.
• Brudziński cheek sign - A sign of meningitis, characterized by pain and stiffness in the neck when the head is flexed forward.
• Brudziński neck sign - A sign of meningitis, characterized by pain and stiffness in the neck when the head is flexed forward.
• Brudziński reflex - A reflex that causes the head to flex forward when the neck is hyperextended.
• Brudziński symphyseal sign - A sign of appendicitis, characterized by pain when the right lower quadrant of the abdomen is pressed.
• Bruit de Roger - A type of heart murmur caused by a leaky heart valve.
• Bruns ataxia - A type of ataxia characterized by difficulty coordinating movements.
• Bruns nystagmus - A type of eye movement disorder characterized by rapid, involuntary eye movements.
• Brushfield spots - Small, white spots that may appear on the iris in certain genetic conditions.
• Budin's sign - A sign of labor, characterized by a change in the position of the cervix.
• Buerger's test - A test used to diagnose peripheral artery disease, characterized by the inability to maintain a strong pulse in the affected limb when the opposite limb is elevated.
• Burton line - A line on the gums that may indicate a deficiency in vitamin C.
• Bárány test - A test used to diagnose certain types of vertigo, characterized by the person's ability to follow a moving object with their eyes.
• Cabot rings - Dark circles that may appear around the cornea in certain eye conditions.
• Caput medusae - A pattern of varicose veins that may appear around the umbilicus in certain liver conditions.
• Cardarelli's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Carey Coombs murmur - A type of heart murmur caused by a leaky heart valve.
• Carnett's sign - A sign used to distinguish abdominal pain caused by the muscles and fascia from pain caused by internal organs, characterized by pain with resistance when the abdominal wall is pressed.
• Carvallo's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Casal collar - A thickening of the skin on the neck that may occur in certain thyroid conditions.
• Casoni test - A test used to diagnose tuberculosis, characterized by the development of a skin reaction after a small amount of tuberculosis protein is injected under the skin.
• Celsus signs of inflammation - Four signs of inflammation first described by the Roman physician Celsus, including redness, heat, swelling, and pain.
• Chaddock reflex - A reflex that causes the toes to curl down when the sole of the foot is stimulated.
• Chadwick sign - A sign of pregnancy, characterized by a bluish discoloration of the cervix and vagina.
• Chagas disease - A parasitic infection caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, characterized by fever, swelling of the eyelids, and a swollen and painful area around the bite wound.
• Charcot's triad - A set of signs associated with jaundice, characterized by fever, abdominal pain, and jaundice.
• Charcot–Leyden crystals - Crystalline structures seen in certain types of inflammation.
• Cheyne–Stokes respiration - A type of breathing characterized by alternating periods of deep and shallow breathing.
• Churchill–Cope reflex - A reflex that causes the eyelid to close when the eye is touched.
• Chvostek sign - A sign of tetany, characterized by twitching of the facial muscles when the facial nerve is tapped.
• Claybrook sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Clutton's joints - Joints that may become swollen and painful in certain types of arthritis.
• Codman's triangle - A triangular area of increased density on an x-ray that may indicate bone tumor.
• Comby sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Comolli's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Coombs test - A test used to detect the presence of certain antibodies in the blood, used to diagnose certain types of anemia.
• Coons fluorescent antibody method - A method of identifying certain microorganisms using fluorescent antibodies.
• Cornell's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Corrigan pulse - A strong, bounding pulse that may be seen in certain heart conditions.
• Councilman body - A structure seen in certain types of liver disease.
• Courvoisier's law - A rule stating that the presence of a palpable gallbladder (Courvoisier's sign) suggests that a person's jaundice is not caused by a blocked common bile duct, which is typically seen in patients with gallbladder cancer.
• Crichton-Browne sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Crowe sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Cruveilhier–Baumgarten bruit - A type of heart murmur caused by a leaky heart valve.
• Cullen's sign - A sign of pancreatitis, characterized by ecchymosis (bruising) around the umbilicus.
• Curschmann spirals - Spiral-shaped structures seen in certain types of lung disease.
• Cushing's triad - A set of signs associated with increased intracranial pressure, characterized by an increased heart rate, irregular breathing, and widening of the pulse pressure.
• Dagher Maneuver - A test used to diagnose a herniated disc, characterized by pain in the leg when the patient is asked to raise their straight leg.
• Dahl's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Dahlén–Fuchs nodules - Small, benign tumors that may appear on the skin in certain genetic conditions.
• Dalrymple sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Dance's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Darier's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Dawson's fingers - Small, benign tumors that may appear on the skin in certain genetic conditions.
• De Musset's sign - A sign of increased intracranial pressure, characterized by nodding of the head with each heartbeat.
• Dennie–Morgan fold - A fold of skin that may appear under the eyes in certain conditions.
• Destot's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Dix–Hallpike test - A test used to diagnose certain types of vertigo, characterized by the person's ability to follow a moving object with their eyes.
• Doi's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Dunphy's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Duroziez's sign - A test used to diagnose aortic insufficiency, characterized by a loud blowing sound heard over the femoral artery when the patient's femoral artery is compressed.
• Döhle bodies - Structures seen in certain types of leukemia.
• Elschnig spots - Small, white spots that may appear on the iris in certain genetic conditions.
• Epstein's pearls - Small, white cysts that may appear on the gums in newborns.
• Ewart's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Faget sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Finkelstein's test - A test used to diagnose de Quervain's tenosynovitis, characterized by pain in the thumb when the patient's thumb is bent toward the wrist.
• Forchheimer spots - Small, red spots that may appear on the skin in certain types of leukemia.
• Fothergill's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Fox's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Frank's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Friedreich's sign - A sign of Friedreich's ataxia, characterized by an unsteady gait and difficulty coordinating movements.
• Froment's sign - A sign used to diagnose a lesion in the ulnar nerve, characterized by the patient holding the affected hand in a position that allows them to use the thumb to compensate for weakness in the fingers.
• Gallavardin phenomenon - A type of heart murmur caused by a leaky heart valve.
• Gamna–Favre bodies - Structures seen in certain types of liver disease.
• Gandy–Gamna nodules - Small, benign tumors that may appear on the skin in certain genetic conditions.
• Garrod's pads - Swelling that may occur on the fingertips in certain types of arthritis.
• Gerhardt's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Glasgow Coma Scale - A tool used to assess a person's level of consciousness after a traumatic brain injury, based on the person's ability to open their eyes, respond to verbal commands, and move their limbs.
• Goetz sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Gonda's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Goodell's sign - A sign of pregnancy, characterized by softening of the cervix.
• Goodsall's rule - A rule used to predict the location of an abscess in the rectum based on its distance from the anus.
• Gordon's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Gottron's papules - Small, red or purple raised spots that may appear on the skin in certain types of arthritis.
• Gowers' sign - A sign of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, characterized by difficulty standing up from a squatting position.
• Graham Steell murmur - A type of heart murmur caused by a leaky heart valve.
• Grey Turner's sign - A sign of acute pancreatitis, characterized by ecchymosis (bruising) around the flanks.
• Griffith's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Grisel's syndrome - A condition characterized by sudden onset of neck pain and stiffness, often caused by a locked facet joint in the cervical spine.
• Gunn's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Hamman's sign - A sign of pneumothorax, characterized by a crunching sound heard during auscultation of the chest.
• Hampton's hump - A radiographic sign of pulmonary infarction, characterized by a triangular area of increased density on a chest x-ray.
• Hampton's line - A radiographic sign of pleural effusion, characterized by a horizontal line seen on a chest x-ray.
• Hannington-Kiff sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Harrison's groove - A groove that may appear on the earlobe in certain types of heart disease.
• Hatchcock's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Heberden's node - Small, bony growths that may appear on the fingers in certain types of arthritis.
• Hegar's sign - A sign used to assess the size of the uterus during pregnancy, characterized by the ability to feel the uterus by palpating the cervix.
• Hess test - A test used to diagnose certain types of vertigo, characterized by the person's ability to follow a moving object with their eyes.
• Hildreth's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Hippocratic face - A pale, drawn appearance of the face, often seen in patients with heart failure.
• Hippocratic fingers - Clubbing of the fingers, often seen in patients with lung disease.
• Hirschberg test - A test used to diagnose strabismus, characterized by the person's ability to follow a moving object with their eyes.
• Hoffmann's sign - A sign used to assess reflexes in the fingers, characterized by the flexion of the thumb when the nail of the third or fourth finger is tapped.
• Hollenhorst plaque - Small, cholesterol-containing plaques that may appear in the retinal vessels in certain types of heart disease.
• Homans' sign - A sign of deep vein thrombosis, characterized by pain and tenderness in the calf when the ankle is dorsiflexed.
• Hoover's sign (leg paresis) - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Hoover's sign (pulmonary) - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Howship–Romberg sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Hutchinson's freckle - A type of mole that may appear on the face, often seen in patients with the inherited disorder neurofibromatosis.
• Hutchinson's pupil - A type of pupil that is small and irregular in shape, often seen in patients with certain types of eye disease.
• Hutchinson's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Hutchinson's teeth - Small, peg-like teeth that may appear in certain genetic conditions.
• Hutchinson's triad - A set of symptoms associated with congenital syphilis, characterized by the presence of Hutchinson's teeth, interstitial keratitis, and eighth nerve deafness.
• Janeway lesion - A small, painless lesion that may appear on the palms or soles in certain types of bacterial endocarditis.
• Jendrassik maneuver - A test used to assess the strength of the biceps reflex, characterized by the ability to make the fingers flex when the patient performs a certain movement.
• Jobe's relocation test - A test used to diagnose a shoulder impingement, characterized by pain in the shoulder when the arm is moved in certain positions.
• Joffroy's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Jolly's test - A test used to diagnose a shoulder impingement, characterized by pain in the shoulder when the arm is moved in certain positions.
• Jones criteria - A set of criteria used to diagnose rheumatic fever, based on the presence of certain signs and symptoms.
• Kanavel's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Kayser–Fleischer ring - A ring-like deposit of copper seen in the cornea in certain types of liver disease.
• Kehr's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied, as well as pain radiating to the shoulder.
• Kelly's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Kerley lines - Short, horizontal lines seen on a chest x-ray, which may be indicative of fluid in the lungs.
• Kernig's sign - A sign used to diagnose meningitis, characterized by pain and stiffness in the neck and back when the person is asked to straighten their leg.
• Kocher's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Koebner's phenomenon - A phenomenon in which a skin condition tends to appear at the site of an injury, rather than spontaneously.
• Koeppe's nodules - Small, benign tumors that may appear on the eyelids in certain genetic conditions.
• Koplik's spots - Small, blue-white spots that may appear on the buccal mucosa in the early stages of measles.
• Korotkoff sounds - Sounds heard when measuring blood pressure, which indicate the systolic and diastolic pressure.
• Kussmaul breathing - Rapid, deep breathing that may occur in patients with metabolic acidosis.
• Kussmaul's sign - A sign of constrictive pericarditis, characterized by an increase in jugular venous pressure with inspiration.
• Kveim test - A test used to diagnose sarcoidosis, characterized by the formation of a granuloma in the skin after the injection of a small amount of sarcoid tissue.
• Lachman maneuver - A test used to assess the stability of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the knee, characterized by the ability to move the tibia forward relative to the femur.
• Ladin's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Lancisi's sign - A sign of mitral stenosis, characterized by a harsh, blowing sound heard during auscultation of the heart.
• Landau–Kleffner syndrome - A rare disorder characterized by the sudden loss of the ability to understand spoken language, often accompanied by seizures.
• Larrey's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Lasègue's sign - A test used to diagnose a herniated lumbar disk, characterized by pain in the leg when the person is asked to lift their straight leg.
• Leopold's maneuver - A technique used to determine the position of the fetus during pregnancy, characterized by the ability to feel the fetus by palpating the abdomen.
• Leser–Trélat sign - A sign of malignancy, characterized by the sudden appearance of multiple seborrheic keratoses (benign skin growths) in a person with a previously normal skin.
• Levine's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Lhermitte's sign - A symptom of multiple sclerosis characterized by an electric shock-like sensation that runs down the back and into the limbs, often triggered by neck flexion.
• Liebermeister's rule - A rule used to predict the outcome of fever in a patient, based on the rate of rise and fall of the patient's temperature.
• Lisch nodule - A small, benign tumor that may appear in the iris of the eye in certain genetic conditions.
• Lisker's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Litten's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Lombard effect - An increase in loudness of a sound when the background noise level is raised.
• Louvel's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Lowenberg's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• MacDonald triad - A set of three symptoms associated with sociopathic behavior, characterized by bed-wetting, pyromania, and cruelty to animals.
• Macewen's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Magnan's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Mantoux test - A test used to diagnose tuberculosis, characterized by the formation of a papule at the site of injection of tuberculin.
• Marcus Gunn pupil - A type of pupil that is small and irregular in shape, often seen in patients with certain types of eye disease.
• Markle's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Massouh's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Mayne's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• McBurney's point - A point on the abdomen, located about two-thirds of the way between the anterior superior iliac spine and the umbilicus, where pain may be felt in patients with acute appendicitis.
• McConnell's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• McMurray test - A test used to diagnose a tear in the meniscus of the knee, characterized by pain and a clicking sound when the knee is flexed and then extended.
• Means–Lerman scratch - A test used to diagnose a shoulder impingement, characterized by pain in the shoulder when the person is asked to scratch their back.
• Mees' lines - White lines that may appear on the nails in certain types of poisoning or metabolic disorders.
• Mellinghoff's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Mentzer index - A measure of the degree of heart muscle damage, based on the amount of enzymes released into the bloodstream following a heart attack.
• Miller Fisher test - A test used to diagnose a type of nerve disorder called Miller Fisher syndrome, characterized by the presence of ataxia, ophthalmoplegia, and areflexia.
• Moniz sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Muehrcke's lines - White lines that may appear on the nails in certain types of kidney disease
• Mulder's sign - A sign used to diagnose a herniated lumbar disk, characterized by pain in the leg when the person is asked to lift their straight leg.
• Murphy's punch sign - A sign of acute cholecystitis, characterized by severe pain and tenderness when the right upper quadrant of the abdomen is palpated.
• Murphy's sign - A sign of acute cholecystitis, characterized by severe pain and tenderness when the right upper quadrant of the abdomen is palpated.
• Myerson's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Möbius sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Müller's maneuver - A test used to diagnose a herniated lumbar disk, characterized by pain in the leg when the person is asked to lift their straight leg.
• Müller's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Naegele's rule - A rule used to predict the due date of a pregnancy, based on the first day of the last menstrual period.
• Nardi test - A test used to diagnose a herniated lumbar disk, characterized by pain in the leg when the person is asked to lift their straight leg.
• Nikolsky's sign - A sign of certain types of skin disorders, characterized by the ability to easily rub off the top layers of skin with minimal force.
• O'Brien's test - A test used to diagnose a herniated lumbar disk, characterized by pain in the leg when the person is asked to lift their straight leg.
• O'Donoghue's triad - A set of three symptoms associated with a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the knee, characterized by pain, swelling, and instability.
• Oliver's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Oppenheim's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Ortolani test - A test used to diagnose developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) in infants, characterized by a clicking sound and reduction of the hip joint when the hip is abducted.
• Osborn wave - A waveform seen on an electrocardiogram (ECG) in certain types of heart disease, characterized by a high, peaked appearance of the J point.
• Osler's node - A small, painful nodule that may appear on the fingers or toes in patients with infective endocarditis.
• Osler's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Palla's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Pastia's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Patrick's test - A test used to diagnose a herniated lumbar disk, characterized by pain in the leg when the person is asked to lift their straight leg.
• Peabody's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Pemberton's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Phalen's maneuver - A test used to diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome, characterized by numbness and tingling in the fingers when the wrists are flexed for a prolonged period of time.
• Piskaçek's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Plummer's nail - A type of nail deformity that may occur in patients with endocrine disorders or lung disease, characterized by clubbing of the nails.
• Pratt's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Prehn's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Queckenstedt's maneuver - A test used to diagnose a herniated lumbar disk, characterized by pain in the leg when the person is asked to lift their straight leg.
• Quincke's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Reynolds' pentad - A set of five symptoms associated with acute cholecystitis, characterized by right upper quadrant pain, fever, jaundice, leukocytosis, and tenderness on palpation.
• Riesman's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Rigler's sign - A sign of pneumoperitoneum, characterized by the presence of free air under the diaphragm on an x-ray.
• Rinne test - A test used to diagnose a conductive hearing loss, characterized by the ability to hear a tuning fork better when it is placed on the bone behind the ear rather than in front of the ear.
• Romaña's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Romberg test - A test used to evaluate balance and coordination, characterized by the person's ability to stand with their feet together and eyes closed without falling.
• Rose's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Rosenbach's test - A test used to diagnose a herniated lumbar disk, characterized by pain in the leg when the person is asked to lift their straight leg.
• Rosenstein's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Rossolimo's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Roth's spots - Retinal hemorrhages that may occur in certain types of bacterial endocarditis.
• Rovsing's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Rumpel–Leede sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Russell's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Salus's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Schaeffer's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Schamroth's window test - A test used to diagnose a disorder of the median nerve, characterized by the inability to make a diamond shape with the fingers when the thumb is pressed down.
• Schiller's test - A test used to diagnose cervical cancer, characterized by the presence of abnormal cells in the cervical mucus when a solution of iodine is applied.
• Schilling test - A test used to diagnose pernicious anemia, characterized by the inability of the body to absorb vitamin B12.
• Schirmer's test - A test used to evaluate the production of tears, characterized by the measurement of the amount of tears produced in a certain period of time.
• Schober test - A test used to measure the flexibility of the spine, characterized by the ability to touch the toes while standing with the feet together.
• Sherren's triangle - A triangle-shaped area on the chest x-ray, characterized by opacification of the lung fields and a clear area in the center. It may indicate pleural effusion or tumor.
• Shone's complex - A complex of cardiovascular anomalies, characterized by obstruction of blood flow in the left side of the heart, which can lead to heart failure.
• Siegrist streaks - Narrow, linear areas of increased pigmentation on the nails, which may indicate a type of anemia.
• Simmonds' test - A test used to evaluate the function of the pituitary gland, characterized by the measurement of the response of the pituitary to various stimuli.
• Sims-Huhner test - A test used to evaluate infertility in women, characterized by the measurement of cervical mucus after intercourse.
• Sister Mary Joseph nodule - A type of metastasis, characterized by the presence of a nodule in the umbilicus, which may indicate the presence of a malignancy elsewhere in the body.
• Spurling's test - A test used to diagnose cervical radiculopathy, characterized by pain and weakness in the arm and neck when the head is rotated and extended.
• Stellwag's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Still's murmur - A type of heart murmur, characterized by a high-pitched, blowing sound heard during systole. It may indicate a congenital heart defect or rheumatic fever.
• Stransky's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Stroop test - A test used to measure cognitive flexibility and attention, characterized by the ability to name the color of a word, even if the word itself is a different color.
• Strümpell's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Terry Thomas sign - A sign of degenerative hip joint disease, characterized by a wide gait and the tendency to swing the affected leg outward.
• Terry's nails - A type of nail deformity, characterized by a white band at the tip of the nails with a dark band at the base, which may occur in patients with liver disease or malnutrition.
• Thomas test - A test used to evaluate tightness in the hip flexors, characterized by the ability to bring the thigh to the chest while lying down on the back.
• Throckmorton's reflex - A reflex, characterized by the extension of the toes when the sole of the foot is stroked. It may indicate a lesion in the spinal cord or peripheral nerve.
• Tinel's sign - A sign used to diagnose nerve damage, characterized by tingling or pain when tapping over a peripheral nerve.
• Todd's paresis - A type of transient weakness, characterized by the temporary loss of strength in the upper limb, which may occur in patients with a migraine or conversion disorder.
• Traube's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Trendelenburg's sign - A sign of hip joint dysfunction, characterized by the tendency to lean towards the affected side while standing on one leg.
• Troisier's sign - A sign of abdominal malignancy, characterized by the presence of a supraclavicular lymph node, which may indicate the presence of metastatic disease.
• Trousseau's sign of latent tetany - A sign of latent tetany, characterized by the development of carpopedal spasm when a blood pressure cuff is inflated.
• Trousseau's sign of malignancy - A sign of malignancy, characterized by the development of migratory thrombophlebitis, which may indicate the presence of a malignancy elsewhere in the body.
• Uhthoff's phenomenon - A phenomenon, characterized by the temporary worsening of symptoms in multiple sclerosis when the body temperature increases, such as during a fever or after exercise.
• Unterberger test - A test used to diagnose cerebellar ataxia, characterized by the ability to walk heel-to-toe in a straight line with the eyes closed.
• Virchow's node - A type of lymph node, characterized by the presence of a swollen node in the left supraclavicular area, which may indicate the presence of malignancy.
• Virchow's triad - A set of three factors that contribute to the formation of blood clots, characterized by stasis of blood flow, hypercoagulability, and injury to the blood vessels.
• Von Braun-Fernwald's sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Von Graefe sign - A sign of acute appendicitis, characterized by tenderness in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen when pressure is applied.
• Wada test - A test used to evaluate brain function, characterized by the measurement of language and memory function before and after injecting a sedative into one of the carotid arteries.
• Waddell's signs - A set of physical examination signs used to evaluate patients with chronic low back pain, characterized by increased sensitivity to non-anatomic stimuli, such as movement and tenderness.
• Waddell's triad - A set of three signs used to evaluate patients with chronic low back pain, characterized by increased pain with non-anatomic stimuli, such as movement and tenderness.
• Watson's water hammer pulse - A type of pulse, characterized by a sharp and sudden increase in amplitude, which may indicate aortic regurgitation.
• Wellens' sign or warning - A sign of acute coronary syndrome, characterized by a specific pattern of ST-segment depression on an electrocardiogram.
• Wernicke encephalopathy - A type of brain disorder, characterized by confusion, ataxia, and nystagmus, which may occur in patients with severe thiamine deficiency.
• Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome - A type of brain disorder, characterized by memory loss and confabulation, which may occur in patients with severe thiamine deficiency.
• Westermark sign - A sign of pulmonary embolism, characterized by the presence of a filling defect on a chest x-ray.
• Whipple's triad - A set of three criteria used to diagnose hypoglycemia, characterized by symptoms of low blood sugar, low blood sugar levels, and the improvement of symptoms with the administration of glucose.
• Wickham's striae - A type of skin lesion, characterized by white or gray lines on the mucous membranes, which may indicate lichen planus or syphilis.
• Widal test - A test used to diagnose typhoid fever, characterized by the measurement of antibodies to the bacterium Salmonella typhi in the blood.
• Winterbottom's sign - A sign of congenital syphilis, characterized by the presence of a rash on the palms and soles.
• Wolff–Parkinson–White triad - A set of three signs used to diagnose Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome, characterized by the presence of an extra electrical pathway in the heart, short PR interval on an electrocardiogram, and the presence of a delta wave.
• Wright's maneuver - A test used to evaluate the patency of the carotid artery, characterized by the ability to elicit a bruit or murmur by compressing the ipsilateral jugular vein while auscultating over the carotid artery.
• Yeoman's test - A test used to evaluate the patency of the carotid artery, characterized by the ability to elicit a bruit or murmur by compressing the ipsilateral jugular vein while auscultating over the carotid artery.
• Yergason's test - A test used to evaluate the integrity of the biceps tendon, characterized by the ability to elicit pain or crepitus with resisted supination of the forearm while the elbow is extended.

Conclusion

Signs and symptoms are indispensable to the practice of medicine, serving as the initial indicators that guide the diagnostic and treatment process. Understanding the distinctions between these two concepts is essential for both healthcare providers and patients to effectively communicate and address health concerns.

See also

• Medical eponyms
• Pathognomonic
• List of medical triads and pentads

Signs and symptoms Resources
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