Oliver's sign, or the tracheal tug sign, is an abnormal downward movement of the
trachea during
systole
Systole ( ) is the part of the cardiac cycle during which some chambers of the heart contract after refilling with blood. The term originates, via New Latin, from Ancient Greek (''sustolē''), from (''sustéllein'' 'to contract'; from ''sun ...
that can indicate a dilation or
aneurysm of the
aortic arch.
Oliver's sign is elicited by gently grasping the
cricoid cartilage and applying upward pressure while the patient stands with his or her chin extended upward.
Due to the anatomic position of the aortic arch, which overrides the left main
bronchus, a downward tug of the
trachea may be felt if an aneurysm is present.
It is also seen in light anesthesia.
The sign was first described by
English military
surgeon
In modern medicine, a surgeon is a medical professional who performs surgery. Although there are different traditions in different times and places, a modern surgeon usually is also a licensed physician or received the same medical training as ...
William Silver Oliver
William Silver Oliver, M.D. (1836 in Kilfinane – 27 April 1908 in Farnborough) was an Irish-born Canadian military surgeon remembered for describing Oliver's sign. He graduated in Halifax, Nova Scotia and entered the Army in 1857, serving m ...
in 1878.
See also
*
Aortic aneurysm
An aortic aneurysm is an enlargement (dilatation) of the aorta to greater than 1.5 times normal size. They usually cause no symptoms except when ruptured. Occasionally, there may be abdominal, back, or leg pain. The prevalence of abdominal aortic ...
*
Cardarelli's sign
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Oliver's Sign
Symptoms and signs: Vascular