Surgical Department

Time: 9.30 a.m. to 10.30 a.m.

1. Different types of herniae

inguinal (direct and indirect), femoral, incisional, umbilical

N.B. Revise the boundaries and contents of the femoral and inguinal canal.

2.Principles of abdominal examination

• Inspection: for scars, distension, peristalsis, herniae and distended veins.
• palpation: check for masses, organomegaly, liver, spleen, uterus etc
• percussion : to check for herniae ascites (fluid in the peritoneal cavity). organomegaly
• auscultation : for bowel sounds -
• diminished sounds may indicate ileus (very common post-op)
• increased bowel sounds may indicate distal obstruction

3. Examination of enlarged lymph nodes

e.g. axillary, groin, submandibular

4. The Breast

 N.B. Read about the lymphatic drainage of the breast

5. The Thyroid Gland

• Look for enlarged gland.
• Understand why the thyroid gland moves on swallowing