What clinical sign is typically evaluated during a diagnosis of appendicitis?

The evaluation for appendicitis often includes assessing for tenderness at McBurney’s point. This anatomical landmark is located in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen, roughly one-third of the distance from the anterior superior iliac spine to the umbilicus. Detection of tenderness at this point is particularly significant because it indicates irritation of the peritoneum due to inflammation of the appendix. The pain typically worsens with palpation, and the presence of this clinical sign helps healthcare providers distinguish between appendicitis and other potential causes of abdominal pain.

While other signs, such as Murphy’s sign, may relate to gallbladder issues, and neurologic signs like the Babinski reflex and Hoffman’s sign are used to evaluate central nervous system function, they are not relevant in diagnosing appendicitis. Thus, McBurney’s point tenderness is the clinical sign that is most directly associated with this condition.