Murphy's sign is used to check for which condition?

Murphy's sign is specifically a clinical test used during physical examination to assess for cholecystitis, which is the inflammation of the gallbladder, usually due to the presence of gallstones. During the test, the examiner instructs the patient to take a deep breath while simultaneously applying pressure to the right upper quadrant of the abdomen, where the gallbladder is located. If the patient experiences pain and abruptly stops inhaling due to that pain, it is considered a positive Murphy's sign, indicating possible inflammation or irritation of the gallbladder.

This sign is particularly relevant and useful because cholecystitis often presents with severe pain in the right upper quadrant, and the deep breath exacerbates this pain. Therefore, a positive Murphy’s sign can support a diagnosis of cholecystitis and warrant further investigation, such as imaging studies or lab tests.