Traube's (semilunar) space is an

anatomic space {{set index article In anatomy, a spatium or anatomic space is a space (cavity or gap). Anatomic spaces are often landmarks to find other important structures. When they fill with gases (such as air) or liquids (such as blood) in pathological ways, ...

of some clinical importance. It is a crescent-shaped space, encompassed by the lower edge of the

left lung The lungs are the primary organs of the respiratory system in humans and most other animals, including some snails and a small number of fish. In mammals and most other vertebrates, two lungs are located near the backbone on either side of t ...

, the anterior border of the

spleen The spleen is an organ found in almost all vertebrates. Similar in structure to a large lymph node, it acts primarily as a blood filter. The word spleen comes .

, the left costal margin and the inferior margin of the

left lobe In human anatomy, the liver is divided grossly into four parts or lobes: the right lobe, the left lobe, the caudate lobe, and the quadrate lobe. Seen from the front – the diaphragmatic surface - the liver is divided into two lobes: the right ...

of the

liver The liver is a major organ only found in vertebrates which performs many essential biological functions such as detoxification of the organism, and the synthesis of proteins and biochemicals necessary for digestion and growth. In humans, it ...

. Thus, its surface markings are respectively the left sixth rib superiorly, the left mid axillary line laterally, and the left costal margin inferiorly.

Percussion for splenomegaly

The normal human spleen measures about 125 millimeters in length, and

splenomegaly Splenomegaly is an enlargement of the spleen. The spleen usually lies in the left upper quadrant (LUQ) of the human abdomen. Splenomegaly is one of the four cardinal signs of ''hypersplenism'' which include: some reduction in number of circulatin ...

is an important clinical sign. There are 2 possibilities to evaluate splenomegaly in the clinical examination: percussion and palpation. Percussion can be done in this space. Beneath Traube's space lies the

stomach The stomach is a muscular, hollow organ in the gastrointestinal tract of humans and many other animals, including several invertebrates. The stomach has a dilated structure and functions as a vital organ in the digestive system. The stomach i ...

, which produces a tympanic sound on

percussion A percussion instrument is a musical instrument that is sounded by being struck or scraped by a beater including attached or enclosed beaters or rattles struck, scraped or rubbed by hand or struck against another similar instrument. Ex ...

. Dullness to percussion over Traube's space may indicate splenomegaly, although this can also be a normal finding after a meal or may indicate certain pathologies, e.g. enlarged left lobe of the liver, a fundus mass, a left pleural effusion or a massive pericardial effusion. Assessing dullness to percussion may be more difficult in obese patients. A 1993 systematic review by ''The Rational Clinical Examination'' found that, as a test for splenomegaly, percussion over Traube's space yields a sensitivity and specificity of 62% and 72%, respectively. Specificity may be higher if the patient has not eaten in the last two hours.

Eponym

It is named for Ludwig Traube, although it was first described by his pupil in 1868. Another method was described by Donald O. Castell in 1967 (

Castell's sign Castell's sign is a medical sign assessed to evaluate splenomegaly and typically part of an abdominal examination. It is an alternative physical examination maneuver to percussion over Traube's space. Splenomegaly, although associated with num ...

References

External links

Image
at luc.edu {{Superficial anatomy Physical examination Medical signs Thorax (human anatomy)

Percussion for splenomegaly

Eponym

See also

References

External links