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 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 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 circulati ...

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. Exc ...

. 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 A systematic review is a scholarly synthesis of the evidence on a clearly presented topic using critical methods to identify, define and assess research on the topic. A systematic review extracts and interprets data from published studies on t ...

by ''The Rational Clinical Examination'' found that, as a test for splenomegaly, percussion over Traube's space yields a

sensitivity Sensitivity may refer to: Science and technology Natural sciences * Sensitivity (physiology), the ability of an organism or organ to respond to external stimuli ** Sensory processing sensitivity in humans * Sensitivity and specificity, statisti ...

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).

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