Letter Sign Name Specialty Associated conditions Descriptor

Charles Dettie
A Aaron sign surgery appendicitis epigastric pain with pressure on McBurney's point
Aaron
Jean Marie Charles
A Abadie's sign endocrinology Graves' disease levator palpebrae superioris spasm
Abadie

Joseph Louis Irenée

A Abadie's symptom neurology tabes dorsalis absence of pain on Achilles tendon pressure
Jean Abadie

A Abderhalden reaction Emil Abderhalden obstetrics pregnancy serum reaction;obsolete

A Abelin reaction Isaak Abelin infectious disease syphilis presence of arsenical anti-syphilitic;obsolete

A Addis count Thomas Addis nephrology pyelonephritis quantitative cells and casts in 24hr. urine

dilated pupil, poorly reactive but with normal near

A Adie pupil William John Adie neurology ciliary nerve damage
accommodation
Alfred Washington
A Adson's sign vascular surgery thoracic outlet syndrome obliteration of radial pulse with manoeuvres
Adson
neurology,
A Alexander's law Gustav Alexander vestibular lesions describes nystagmus in vestibular lesions
neurosurgery, ENT
Edgar Van Nuys vascular surgery, tests for presence of palmar ulnar-radial
A Allen's test arterial supply of the hand
Allen critical care[1] anastomosis (palmar arch)
A Apgar score Virginia Apgar obstetrics assess health of newborn

A Apley grind test Alan Graham Apley orthopaedic surgery meniscal lesions manoeuvres to elicit knee pain

Douglas Moray
Argyll Robertson
A Cooper Lamb neurology neurosyphilis[2] light-near dissociation
pupils
Argyll Robertson
haematology,
A Arneth count Josef Arneth folate deficiency lobulation of neutrophil nuclei
nutrition
Gustav Asboe- extension of a blister to adjacent unblistered skin
A Asboe-Hansen sign dermatology bullae
Hansen when pressed
Selmar
Aschheim–Zondek oestral reaction in mouse injected with pregnant
A Aschheim, Bernhard obstetrics normal pregnancy
test urine
Zondek
Karl Albert Ludwig rheumatology, foci of interstitial inflammatiuon in the
A Aschoff body rheumatic fever
Aschoff pathology myocardium and elsewhere
haematology,
A Ashby technique Winifred Ashby haemolysis agglutination test for erythrocyte survival
pathology
Auberger's blood
A Auberger (patient) haematology normal physiology Aua antigen
group
Josef Leopold
A Auenbrugger's sign cardiology pericardial effusion bulging epigastrium
Auenbrugger

A Auer rods John Auer hematology acute myeloid leukemia cytoplasmic inclusions in myeloblasts

pinpoint bleeding when scales are removed from

A Auspitz's sign Heinrich Auspitz dermatology psoriasis
psoriasis or warts

A Austin Flint murmur Austin Flint cardiology aortic insufficiency mid-diastolic rumble heard at apex
 dorsiflexion of the hallux with fanning of the
B Babinski sign Joseph Babinski neurology abnormal plantar reflex remaining phalanges upon soft stimulation of the
lateral plantar surface of the foot
Francis Arthur increase in heart rate with increase in circulating
B Bainbridge reflex cardiology normal physiology
Bainbridge blood volume
Edouard-Gérard large chromosome puff indicating site of RNA
B Balbiani rings genetics RNA transcription
Balbiani transcription
Charles Alfred percussive dullness left flank, LUQ, percussive
B Ballance's sign general surgery abdominal/splenic trauma
Ballance resonance right flank
pain on anterior, but not lateral, compression of
B Bancroft's sign Joseph Bancroft vascular medicine deep vein thrombosis
calf
nystagmus elicited by hot or cold irrigation of ear
B Bárány test Robert Bárány ENT, neurology vertigo, vestibular dysfunction
canal
Thomas Geoffrey
Barlow, English
paediatrics,
B Barlow's maneuver Pediatric hip dysplasia dislocation on adduction of hip
orthopaedic surgery
Orthopedist,
(1915–1975)
Loss of all four alpha-globin genes (total alpha-
thalassemia) leads to severely anemic stillborn
Obstetrics, indicates a specific cause of
B Bart hemoglobin Barts Hospital babies with small amounts of an abnormal
pathology death in some stillborns
hemoglobin composed of four gamma sub-units
(Bart's Hemoglobin)
Henry Charlton
B Bastian–Bruns sign Bastian, Ludwig neurology spinal cord transection loss of muscle tone and reflexes below lesion level
Bruns
William Henry neurosurgery/traum
B Battle's sign basal skull fracture mastoid ecchymosis
Battle atology
Joseph Honoré dermatology,
B Beau's lines multiple, including trauma transverse ridges on nails
Simon Beau internal medicine
 Claude Schaeffer hypotension, increased central venous pressure
B Beck's triad cardiology cardiac tamponade
Beck (JVP), distant heart sounds
Otto Heinrich ophthalmology,
B Becker's sign thyrotoxicosis visible pulsation of retinal arteries
Enoch Becker endocrinology
Charles Edward neurology,
B Beevor's sign spinal trauma at T10, als, fsmd caudal movement of navel on cervical flexion
Beevor neurosurgery
Vladimir
Bekhterev–Jacobsohn stroking dorsal radial skin, with forearm in
B Bekhterev, Louis neurology pyramidal tract lesions
reflex supination, elicits wrist and finger flexion
Jacobsohn-Lask
Vladimir
Bekhterev–Mendel
B Bekhterev, Kurt neurology pyramidal tract lesions toe flexion on percussion of dorsum of foot
reflex
Mendel

B Bence Jones protein Henry Bence Jones hematology multiple myeloma

Stanley Rossiter
B Benedict solution endocrinology diabetes mellitus reagent for presence of monosaccharides
Benedict
Berger wave
B Hans Berger neurology normal physiology electroencephalographic alpha wave
(rhythm)
Albert von
pharmacology,
B Bezold–Jarisch reflex Bezold, Adolf effect of certain alkaloids apnea, bradycardia, hypotension
toxicology
Jarisch
Bielschowsky's head Alfred neurology,
B lesions of cranial nerve IV test for palsy of superior oblique muscle
tilt test Bielschowsky ophthalmology
extension of the great toe on pricking the dorsum
B Bing's sign Paul Robert Bing neurology pyramidal tract lesions
of the foot with a pin
quick shallow respirations followed by period of
B Biot's respiration Camille Biot neurology brain stem herniation
apnea

B Bitot's spots Pierre Bitôt ophthalmology vitamin A deficiency spots of keratin deposition in the conjunctiva
 Jannik Peterson comet shaped visual field defect, extending
B Bjerrum scotoma ophthalmology glaucoma
Bjerrum temporally from the physiological blind spot
Jacob Moritz
B Blumberg sign surgery peritonitis rebound tenderness
Blumberg

B Boas' point Ismar Isidor Boas gastroenterology gastric ulcer dermal hyperaesthesia just left of T12

dermal hyperaesthesia at inferior angle of R

B Boas' sign Ismar Isidor Boas gastroenterology acute cholecystitis
scapula

B Bodansky unit Aaron Bodansky clinical chemistry unit of alkaline phosphataseconcentration in blood

ophthalmology,
B Boston's sign Leonard N. Boston thyrotoxicosis spasmodic ptosis on downward gaze
endocrinology
Charles-Joseph bony outgrowths on dorsa of proximal
B Bouchard's nodes rheumatology osteoarthritis
Bouchard interphalangeal joints

Erich Franz Eugen

Bracht–Wachter Bracht, Hermann
B cardiology infective endocarditis yellow-white spots in the myocardium
bodies Julius Gustav
Wächter

pressing on proximal portion of AV fistula results

B Branham's sign Henry Branham
in bradycardia
Braxton Hicks "false labour". sporadic contractions beginning as
B John Braxton Hicks obstetrics normal pregnancy
contraction early as mid 1st trimester
George Emerson nephrology, dark red wedge shaped areas on kidney section
B Brewer infarcts pyelonephritis
Brewer pathology resembling infarcts
plantar stimulation elicits contraction of tensor
B Brissaud's reflex Édouard Brissaud neurology pyramidal tract lesions
fasciae latae
Broadbent inverted Sir William
B Broadbent, 1st cardiology L atrial hypertrophy systole palpable in posterior chest wall
sign
Baronet
B Broadbent sign Walter Broadbent cardiology adhesive pericarditis recession of L inferior intercostal spaces

neurology, developmental or other

B Broca aphasia Paul Broca pathology of various frontal expressive aphasia
neuropsychology
cortical areas
Sir Benjamin
superficial vein is percussed proximally; if impulse
Brodie–Trendelenbur Collins Brodie, 1st general medicine,
B varicose veins is felt over vein distally, valvular incompetence is
g percussion test Baronet, Friedrich surgery
present
Trendelenburg
if breast milk flown into a sterile pad is mixed with
Pierre-Constant
B Budin's sign surgery, obstetrics suppurative mastitis pus (brown, yellow or bloody traces), mastitis may
Budin
be present
Sir Benjamin
Brodie–Trendelenbur Collins Brodie, 1st general medicine,
B varicose veins identifies level of valvular incompetence
g test Baronet, Friedrich surgery
Trendelenburg

B Brudziński neck sign Józef Brudziński neurology meningitis neck flexion elicits hip and knee flexion

Brudziński cheek 
B Józef Brudziński neurology meningitis pressure beneath zygoma elicits flexion of forearm
sign
Brudziński  pressure over symphisis pubis elicits knee, hip
B Józef Brudziński neurology meningitis
symphyseal sign flexion and leg abduction
passive flexion of knee to abdomen elicits flexion
B Brudziński reflex Józef Brudziński neurology meningitis
of contralateral hip and knee
paediatric
B Bruit de Roger Henri-Louis Roger ventricular septal defect loud pansystolic murmur
cardiology
difficulty moving feet in contact with floor,
B Bruns ataxia Ludwig Bruns neurology frontal lobe lesions
tendency to fall backwards
 cerebellopontine angle tumor, nystagmus that coarsens in amplitude on lateral
B Bruns nystagmus Ludwig Bruns neurology
vestibular schwannoma gaze
ophthalmology, Downs' syndrome or non-
B Brushfield spots Thomas Brushfield greyish-white spots at periphery of iris
genetics pathological
general medicine,
B Buerger's test ? peripheral artery disease pallor of the leg upon elevation
surgery

B Burton line Henry Burton toxicology lead poisoning blue discolouration of the gingival border

C Cabot rings Richard Cabot hematology lead poisoning, anaemias threadlike strands in erythrocytes

gastroenterology,
C Caput medusae Medusa portal hypertension distended veins radiating from umbilicus
surgery
cardiology, thoracic aortic arch dilatation or left displacement of trachea elicits palpable
C Cardarelli's sign Antonio Cardarelli
surgery aneurysm, mediastinal tumour pulsation of same
Carey Coombs cardiology,
C Carey Coombs rheumatic fever mid-diastolic rumble
murmur rheumatology
primary care, supine patient lifts head from bed;↑ pain – 
C Carnett's sign John Berton Carnett abdominal mass and/or pain
surgery abdominal wall ;↓ pain – intraperitoneal
José Manuel Rivero
C Carvallo's sign cardiology tricuspid regurgitation increase in volume of murmur on inspiration
Carvallo
widely variable collar of dermatitis
C Casal collar Gaspar Casal nutrition pellagra (niacin deficiency)
characteristically in c3,c4 dermatomes
infectious disease, intradermal injection of hydatid fluid causing
C Casoni test Tomaso Casoni hydatid disease
tropical medicine wheal
Celsus signs of Aulus Cornelius 1. Rubor (redness) 2. Tumor (swelling)3. Calor
C various inflammation
inflammation Celsus (heat) 4. Dolor (pain)
Charles Gilbert pyramidal lesions, corticospinal extension of big toe with stimulation of skin over
C Chaddock reflex neurology
Chaddock tract lesions lateral malleolus
 James Read
C Chadwick sign obstetrics pregnancy cyanosis of vulva, vagina and cervix
Chadwick

C Charcot's triad Jean-Martin Charcot surgery ascending cholangitis jaundice, fever and chills, RUQ pain

C Charcot's triad Jean-Martin Charcot neurology multiple sclerosis nystagmus, intention tremor, staccato speech

Jean-Martin any disorder characterized by

Charcot–Leyden
C Charcot, Ernst pathology eosinophil proliferation, lysophospholipase crystals in various tissues
crystals
Viktor von Leyden e.g. ascariasis
John
Cheyne–Stokes
C Cheyne, William palliative care respiratory centerdamage fluctuation between apnoea and tachypnoea
respiration
Stokes
Edward Delos
Churchill–Cope distension of pulmonary vascular bed
C Churchill, Oliver cardiology heart failure
reflex causes tachypnoea
Cope
tapping over facial nerve elicits abnormal muscle
C Chvostek's sign František Chvostek endocrinology hypocalcemia
contraction(s)
emergency heart and/or breath sounds heard through
C Claybrook sign Edwin Claybrook blunt abdominal trauma
medicine, surgery abdominal wall indicate rupture of viscus
painless symmetrical hydrarthroses, particularly of
C Clutton's joints Henry Hugh Clutton paediatrics congenital syphilis
the knees
oncology,
C Codman's triangle Ernest Codman orthopaedic osteosarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma triangular subperiosteal growth
surgery, radiology

C Comby sign Jules Comby paediatrics rubeola whitish patches on gingiva and buccal mucosa

Orthopaedic triangular swelling corresponding to the outline of

C Comolli's sign Antonio Comolli Scapular fracture
surgery the scapula
C Coombs test Robin Coombs hematology hemolytic anemia

Coons fluorescent detection of antibodies by fluorescence

C Albert Coons immunology
antibody method microscopy using fluorescein-labelled antibodies
Ethel L. Cornell,
American
Neuropsychologist
scratching alongside big toe extensor tendon elicits
C Cornell's sign and Psychiatrist, neurology pyramidal tract lesions
an extensor plantar response
Columbia
University NY
(1882-1972)
Dominic John carotid pulsations with abrupt ascending and
C Corrigan pulse cardiology aortic insufficiency
Corrigan descending phases
William Thomas yellow fever, viral haemorrhagic
C Councilman body infectious disease eosinophilic globules in liver
Councilman fevers
Ludwig Georg palpable gall bladder w/ painless jaundice unlikely
C Courvoisier's law gastroenterology obstructive jaundice
Courvoisier to be cholelithiasis
Crichton-Browne Sir James Crichton-
C neuropsychiatry 'general paresis' tremor at corners of mouth and of outer canthus
sign Browne

C Crowe sign Frank W. Crowe dermatology neurofibromatosis type I axillary freckling

Jean
Cruveilhier–Baumgar Cruveilhier, Paul
C hepatology Cruveilhier–Baumgarten disease bruit around the umbilicus
ten bruit Clemens von
Baumgarten
ecchymosis around umbilicus predicts onset of
C Cullen's sign Thomas S. Cullen surgery intra-abdominal haemorrhage
acute pancreatitis
Heinrich
C Curschmann spirals pulmonology asthma spiral mucus plugs found in sputum
Curschmann
 elevated systolic bp, bradycardia, irregular
C Cushing's triad Harvey Cushing neurology raised intracranial pressure
respiration

bimanual palpation of foreign object lodged in

D Dagher Maneuver Nabil Dagher trauma surgery penetrating pelvic trauma pelvis with one digit in an incision lateral to the
anus and the other digit inserted in the rectum

Dahlén–Fuchs Johan Dahlén, Ernst

D ophthalmology sympathetic ophthalmia
nodules Fuchs
pigmented calluses on anterior surface of thighs
D Dahl's sign K.V. Dahl pulmonology COPD
(from leaning on elbows)
ophthalmology,
D Dalrymple sign John Dalrymple thyrotoxicosis widened palpebral opening
endocrinology
Jean Baptiste
D Dance's sign (paediatric)surgery ileo-cecal intussusception empty RLQ (retracted right iliac fossa)
Hippolyte Dance
Ferdinand-Jean allergy,
D Darier's sign urticaria pigmentosa dermatographia
Darier dermatology
James Walker characteristic fingerlike appearance of lateral
D Dawson's fingers neurology multiple sclerosis
Dawson ventricle on mri, ct, or at autopsy

D De Musset's sign Alfred de Musset cardiology aortic insufficiency head nodding in time with heartbeat

Charles Clayton
Dennie
D Dennie–Morgan fold dermatology atopic dermatitis accentuated fold below the lower eyelid
DB Morgan

ecchymosis superior to inguinal ligament, in

D Destot's sign Etienne Destot orthopaedic surgery pelvic fracture
scrotum or of thigh
Margaret R. Elicitation of extreme vertigo upon lateral
Benign paroxysmal positional
D Dix–Hallpike test Dix, Charles Otolaryngology movement of a patient's head when lying in a
vertigo
Skinner Hallpike supine position
 Karl Gottfried Paul various including trauma and basophilic inclusions in peripheral cytoplasm of
D Döhle bodies pathology
Döhle neoplasm neutrophils
reappearance of absent deep tendon reflexes after
D Doi's sign Hitoka Doi neurology Eaton–Lambert syndrome
short period of maximal muscle contraction
Osborne Joby
D Dunphy sign surgery appendicitis increase in abdominal pain on coughing
Dunphy
double bruit heard over femoral artery when it is
D Duroziez's sign Paul Louis Duroziez cardiology aortic insufficiency
compressed distally (see Traube's sign)

E Elschnig spots Anton Elschnig ophthalmology hypertensive retinopathy

E Epstein's pearls Alois Epstein paediatrics normal newborn cystic papules on palate

percussive dullness, aegophony and bronchial

E Ewart's sign William Ewart cardiology pericardial effusion
breath sounds at L scapular tip
Yellow fever Typhoid
F Faget sign Jean-Charles Faget infectious disease Fever tularaemiabrucellosis othe the unusual constellation of fever and bradycardia
rs
F Finkelstein's test Harry Finkelstein rheumatology DeQuervain's tenosynovitis

Frederick
F Forchheimer spots paediatrics rubella small red spots on the soft palate
Forchheimer
anterior abdominal mass which does not cross the
F Fothergill's sign John Fothergill surgery rectus sheath hematoma midline and is still palpable when abdominal wall
muscles are tensed
ecchymosis of inguinal ligament (blood tracks
F Fox's sign George Henry Fox gastroenterology haemorrhagic pancreatitis
retroperitoneally)
ear crease indicating risk of heart disease
F Frank's sign Sanders T. Frank cardiology ischaemic heart disease
(disputed)
 constrictive pericarditis,
F Friedreich's sign Nikolaus Friedreich cardiology collapse of distended neck veins in diastole
tricuspid insufficiency
patient required to hold paper between thumb and
F Froment's sign Jules Froment neurology ulnar nerve palsy palm (against attempt to withdraw);ability to do so
is assessed
Gallavardin dissociation of musical and noisy elements in
G Louis Gallavardin cardiology aortic stenosis
phenomenon ejection murmur

Carlos Gamna,
G Gamna–Favre bodies histology lymphogranuloma venereum basophilic cytoplasmic inclusion bodies
Maurice Favre

Charles Gandy, splenomegaly due to portal

Gandy–Gamna
G histology hypertension and sickle cell small yellow-brown foci in the spleen
nodules
Carlos Gamna disease

repeated extreme tension of

thickening of skin and tissue over interphalangeal
G Garrod's pads Archibald Garrod dermatology extensor tendon in
joint
interphalangeal joint

Carl Jakob Adolf

G Gerhardt's sign controversial: see references
Christian Gerhardt

A neurological scale which aims

to give a reliable and objective
G Glasgow Coma Scale Glasgow neurology way of recording the conscious The sum of Eye, Motor and Verbal responses.
state of a person for initial as
well as subsequent assessment.
 Seen during right
ventriculography in the setting
of a patent ductus arteriosus, the
Goetz sign refers to the negative
Patent Ductus
G Goetz sign Robert H. Goetz contrast effect seen in the
Arteriosus
pulmonary artery from non-
contrast enhanced blood
shunting left to right from the
aorta
Viktor Gonda,
Ukrainian flexing then suddenly releasing the 4th toe elicits
G Gonda's sign neurology pyramidal tract lesions
Neuropsychiatrist, an extensor plantar response
(1889-1959)
softening of the vaginal part of the cervix during
G Goodell's sign William Goodell obstetrics pregnancy
the first trimester
David Henry gastroenterology, anatomical relationships, differentiation of fistula
G Goodsall's rule anal fistula
Goodsall general surgery types
squeezing the calf muscle elicits an extensor
G Gordon's sign Alfred Gordon neurology pyramidal tract lesions
plantar response
Heinrich Adolf Scaling, erythematous eruption or dusky red
G Gottron's papules rheumatology dermatomyositis
Gottron patches over the knuckles, elbows and knees
William Richard
G Gowers' sign[3] neurology muscular dystrophy
Gowers
Graham Steell pulmonary regurgitationmurmur in patients
G Graham Steell cardiology mitral stenosis with pulmonary hypertensionsecondary to mitral
murmur
stenosis
G Grey Turner's sign George Grey Turner surgery retroperitoneal hemorrhage flank ecchymosis
 Alexander Hill
Griffith, Scottish
lid lag of the lower eyelid on upward eye
G Griffith's sign Ophthalmologist, endocrinology Graves' ophthalmopathy
movement
Manchester (1858-
1937)
Robert Marcus AV "nicking" or "nipping" in hypertensive
G Gunn's sign ophthalmology hypertension
Gunn retinopathy
oesophageal perforation w/
H Hamman's sign Louis Hamman thoracic surgery crepitus in sync w/ heartbeat but not respiration
pneumomediastinum
Aubrey Otis pulmonology, wedge shaped consolidation at periphery with base
H Hampton's hump pulmonary embolus with infarct
Hampton radiology on the pleura
Aubrey Otis radiology, line on barium meal indicating mucosal oedema
H Hampton's line peptic ulcer
Hampton gastroenterology associated with ulcer
John G. Hannington- absent thigh adductor reflex with positive patellar
H Hannington-Kiff sign general surgery obturator hernia
Kiff reflex

H Harrison's groove Edward Harrison internal medicine rickets rib deformity at the lower thorax

paediatrics, tenderness behind angle of jaw (typically before

H Hatchcock's sign ? mumps
infectious disease swelling is evident)

H Heberden's node William Heberden rheumatology osteoarthritis same as bouchard's nodes, but over dip joints

Ernst Ludwig softening of cervical isthmus appearin between 4th

H Hegar's sign obstetrics normal pregnancy
Alfred Hegar and 6th weeks (usually)
appearance of petechiae after compression of arm
H Hess test Alfred Fabian Hess internal medicine capillary fragility
by bandage or blood pressure cuff
Relief of pain at tumor site upon vascular
H Hildreth's sign DH Hildreth dermatology glomus tumor occlusion of limb, with acute return of pain on
reperfusion
H Hippocratic face Hippocrates palliative care impending death

pulmonary
H Hippocratic fingers Hippocrates chronic hypoxia clubbing of distal phalanges
medicine
corneal reflection centred (-) or not centred (+) on
H Hirschberg test Julius Hirschberg ophthalmology strabismus
pupil
tapping distal phalanx of 3rd or 4th finger elicits
H Hoffmann's sign Johann Hoffmann neurology corticospinal tract lesions
flexion of same in thumb
hypertension, coronary artery
H Hollenhorst plaque Robert Hollenhorst ophthalmology cholesterol embolus(i) of retinal artery(ies)
disease, and/or diabetes
knee bent, ankle abruptly dorsiflexed, popliteal
H Homans' sign John Homans thrombosis deep venous thrombosis
pain
Hoover's sign (leg Charles Franklin neurology,
H lower extremity paresis differentiates organic from non-organic etiology
paresis) Hoover psychiatry
Hoover's sign Charles Franklin
H pulmonology COPD inward movement of lower ribs during inspiration
(pulmonary) Hoover

John Howship,
Howship–Romberg
H surgery obturator hernia pain from an obturator hernia radiating to knee
sign Moritz Heinrich
Romberg
Patient bears weight on foot. Hallux is dorsiflexed.
Flexible vs rigid flatfoot
H Hubscher's Maneuver Podiatry If arch is recreated, test is positive. Indicative of
deformity
flexible deformity
Sir Jonathan
H Hutchinson's freckle dermatology melanoma precancerous facial pigmentation
Hutchinson
Sir Jonathan dilated pupil on the side of an intracranial lesion
H Hutchinson's pupil neurology oculomotor nerve lesion
Hutchinson due to IIIrd nerve compression
 Sir Jonathan lesion on tip of the nose which can presage ocular
H Hutchinson's sign ophthalmology herpes zoster
Hutchinson herpes zoster
[4] Sir Jonathan small, widely spaced incisors with notched biting
H Hutchinson's teeth pediatrics congenital syphilis
Hutchinson surfaces
Sir Jonathan interstitial keratitis, nerve deafness, Hutchinson's
H Hutchinson's triad pediatrics congenital syphilis
Hutchinson teeth
Theodore Caldwell palmar or plantar erythematous or haemorrhagic
J Janeway lesion cardiology infective endocarditis
Janeway papules

J Jendrassik maneuver Ernő Jendrassik neurology hyporeflexia compares patellar reflex w/ and w/o distraction

J Jobe's relocation test Christopher Jobe orthopedics

lack of forehead wrinkling when patient looks up

J Joffroy's sign Alexis Joffroy endocrinology exophthalmos in Graves disease
with head bowed
myasthenia electromyography test using repeated stimuli to 
J Jolly's test Friedrich Jolly neurology gravis or Eaton–Lambert show fatiguability in myasthenia
syndrome
J Jones criteria T. Duckett Jones rheumatology rheumatic fever criteria used to diagnose rheumatic fever

(1) finger held in slight flexion, (2) fusiform

orthopedics, tenosynovitis of flexor digitorum swelling, (3) tenderness along the flexor tendon
K Kanavel's sign Allen B. Kanavel
rheumatology tendon sheath, and (4) pain with passive extension of the
digit.

Bernhard Kayser, Wilson's

Kayser–Fleischer neurology, ring of brownish copper deposit at corneo-scleral
K disease(hepatolenticular
ring gastroenterology junction
Bruno Fleischer degeneration)

K Kehr's sign Hans Kehr trauma surgery ruptured spleen referred pain to L shoulder
 Howard Atwood visible response of ureter when touched (means of
K Kelly's sign surgery
Kelly identifying same)

K Kerley lines Peter Kerley radiology pulmonary edema

meningism, meningitis, subarach hip and knee fully flexed, extension of knee elicits

K Kernig's sign Woldemar Kernig neurology
noid haemorrhage pain and/or opisthotonus
Koebner's
K Heinrich Koebner dermatology various conditions
phenomenon

K Koeppe's nodules Leonhard Koeppe ophthalmology uveitis granulomatous nodules at pupillary margin

K Koplik's spots Henry Koplik pediatrics measles

Korotkov described 5 sounds. Only the first (the

onset of audible sound, and corresponding to
auscultatory sphygmomanometr systolic pressure) and the fifth (sound becomes
K Korotkoff sounds Nikolai Korotkov cardiology
y inaudible, corresponding to diastolic pressure) are
of practical clinical significance (however,
see:Auscultatory gap)

laboured deep breathing with normal or reduced

K Kussmaul breathing[5] Adolph Kussmaul endocrinology metabolic acidosis
frequency
various, including right side
K Kussmaul's sign Adolph Kussmaul cardiology increased jugular distension on inspiration
failure
Morten Ansgar pulmonary intradermal injection of lymphatic extract from
K Kveim test sarcoidosis
Kveim medicine known sufferer; obsolete
modified anterior drawer test with knee in less
L Lachman maneuver John Lachman orthopedic surgery anterior cruciate ligament injury
flexion
 Louis Julius Ladin,
Lithuanian-
L Ladin's sign American obstetrics normal pregnancy softening of uterus; similar to Hegar's sign
Gynecologist, (1862-
1951)
Giovanni Maria
L Lancisi's sign cardiology tricuspid regurgitation giant v-wave in seen in jugular vein
Lancisi
pain in sacroiliac area on sitting down on hard
L Larrey's sign Dominique Larrey rheumatology sacroiliitis
chair
neurosurgery,
L Lasègue's sign Charles Lasègue lumbar disc lesions, sciatica better known as straight leg raise test
orthpaedic surgery
Christian Gerhard
L Leopold's maneuver obstetrics determination of fetal lie
Leopold

Edmund Leser,
sudden onset of multiple pruritic seborrheic
L Leser–Trélat sign oncology malignant neoplasm
keratoses
Ulysse Trélat

patient clenches fist over chest when asked to

L Levine's sign Samuel A. Levine cardiology myocardial infarction
describe pain

lesions of cervical cord dorsal

electrical sensation down the back and into limbs
L Lhermitte's sign Jean Lhermitte neurology columns or caudal medulla, MS,
with neck flexion or extension
chemotherapy, Behçet's disease

Carl von For each fever degree Celsius an increase of 8

L Liebermeister's rule internal medicine
Liebermeister beats per minute in cardiac frequency

L Lisch nodule Karl Lisch ophthalmology type I neurofibromatosis yellow brown hamartomata on iris

L Lisker's sign ? internal medicine deep venous thrombosis tenderness on percussion of antero-medial tibia
L Litten's sign Moritz Litten cardiology infective endocarditis cotton-wool exudate in the retina

malingering due to simulated automatic rise in the loudness of a person's voice

L Lombard effect Étienne Lombard psychiatry
deafness when they speak in noise
increased pain along vein with valsalva; proximal
L Louvel's sign ? internal medicine deep venous thrombosis
pressure prevents this
immediate pain on inflating blood pressure cuff
L Lowenberg's sign ? vascular medicine deep vein thrombosis
around calf
eneuresis, firesetting and animal torture predictive
M MacDonald triad John M. MacDonald psychiatry sociopathic personality disorder
of future criminal behaviour
Sir William  neurology, resonance on percussion of fronto-temporo-parietal
M Macewen's sign hydrocephalus, brain abscess
Macewen neurosurgery suture

M Magnan's sign Valentin Magnan addiction medicine cocaine dependence feeling of moving foreign body under the skin

intradermal protein derivative – diameter of wheal

M Mantoux test Charles Mantoux infectious disease tuberculosis
evaluated
Robert Marcus ophthalmology, severe retinal disease, lesion of Relative pupil dilatation when light swings to the
M Marcus Gunn pupil
Gunn neurology optic nerve anterior to chiasm affected side
RLQ pain on dropping from standing on toes to
M Markle sign ? surgery appendicitis
heels
diastolic blood pressure drop of >15mmHg on
M Mayne's sign ? cardiology aortic insufficiency
raising arm

2/3 of the way lateral on a line from umbilicus to

M McBurney's point Charles McBurney surgery
M McConnell's sign M.V. McConnell cardiology
appendicitis anterior superior iliac spine (corresponds to
junction of vermiform appendix and cecum)
echocardiographyfinding of akinesia of the mid-
pulmonary embolism free wall of the right ventricle but normal motion
of the apex
 Thomas Porter knee extended, valgus stress applied, leg rotated
M McMurray test orthopaedics meniscal tear
McMurray produces palpable or audible click
Means–Lerman J. Lerman, J.H.
M endocrinology hyperthyroidism systolic heart murmur similar to pericardial rub
scratch Means

M Mees' lines R.A. Mees toxicology arsenic or heavy metal poisoning transverse white lines across the nails

Karl Hermann
Mellinghoff,
hyperbaric cutaneous decompression  coughing or Valsalve accentuates the venous
M Mellinghoff's sign German
medicine sickness markings of an erysipeloid rash
Endocrinologist,
(1908-1967)
William C. Mentzer differentiates iron deficiency anaemia from beta
M Mentzer index hematology microcytic anemia
Jr. thalassaemia
Improvement in cognitive function after
M Miller Fisher test C. Miller Fisher neurology normal pressure hydrocephalus withdrawal of CSF during lumbar punctureused to
confirm diagnosis
António Egas forceful plantar flexion of the ankle elicits an
M Moniz sign neurology pyramidal tract lesions
Moniz extensor plantar response

M Möbius sign Paul Julius Möbius endocrinology thyrotoxicosis inability to maintain convergence of eyes

nephrology, oncolo hypoalbuminaemia, chemothera
M Muehrcke's lines Robert C. Muehrcke paired transverse white lines on nail bed
gy py
transverse compression of the forefoot elicits pain
M Mulder's sign Jacob D. Mulder neurology, podiatry Morton's neuroma
in the distribution of the affected nerve
Johannes Peter patient attempts to breathe in with nose and mouth
M Müller's maneuver pulmonology collapsed section of airway
Müller closed (opposite of Valsalva maneuver)
Friedrich von
M Müller's sign cardiology aortic insufficiency visible pulsation or bobbing of uvula
Müller
M Murphy's punch sign John B. Murphy urology perinephric abscess punch tenderness at the costovertebral angle

hesitation on inspiration while gall bladder is

M Murphy's sign John B. Murphy surgery cholecystitis
palpated
inability to resist blinking when glabella is
M Myerson's sign Abraham Myerson neurology Parkinson's disease
percussed

N Naegele's rule Franz Karl Naegele gynecology gestation method of estimating due date

administration of morphine and neostigmine

N Nardi test George Nardi gastroenterology dysfunction of sphincter of Oddi
reproduces sharp LUQ pain; not in general use
various, including pemphigus
N Nikolsky's sign Pyotr Nikolsky dermatology shearing of epidermis under pressure
vulgaris

O O'Brien's test ?

orthopaedics, sports coincidence of anterior cruciate injury, medial

O O'Donoghue's triad D. O'Donoghue knee injury
medicine collateral injury and meniscal tear
William Silver
O Oliver's sign cardiology aortic arch aneurysm caudal movement of trachea with systole
Oliver
Hermann irritation downward of the medial tibia causes
O Oppenheim's sign neurology pyramidal tract lesions
Oppenheim dorsiflexion of big toe
pediatrics & orthop
O Ortolani test Marino Ortolani congenital hip dislocation palpable clunk on moving hip
edics
John Jay Osborn, cardiology, emerge
O Osborn wave American hypothermia positive deflection at QRS-ST junction
ncy medicine
Cardiologist, (1917-
painful red lesions on the pads of the fingers and
O Osler's node Sir William Osler internal medicine various, including SBE and SLE
plantar surfaces
 falsely elevated bp reading due to
O Osler's sign Sir William Osler internal medicine atherosclerosis
incompressibility of calcified vessels
enlarged right descending pulmonary artery on
P Palla's sign ? internal medicine pulmonary embolism
chest x-ray
lines of confluent petechiae in skin creases
Constantin Chessec
P Pastia's sign pediatrics scarlet fever (associated with Scarlatiniform rashand strep
Pastia
pyogenes)

P Patrick's test Hugh Talbot Patrick rheumatology sacroiliitis external rotation of the hip causes pain

calf muscle spasm when raising the affected leg

P Peabody's sign C.N. Peabody internal medicine deep vein thrombosis
with the foot extended
retrosternal mass with superior arms elevated over head elicits facial plethora,
P Pemberton's sign Hugh Pemberton thoracic surgery
vena cava syndrome distended neck veins and inspiratory stridor
rheumatology, hand 30–60 seconds of full forced flexion of wrist elicits
P Phalen's maneuver George S. Phalen carpal tunnel syndrome
surgery symptoms
palpable lateral bulge at tubal-uterine junction;
P Piskaçek's sign Ludwig Piskaçek obstetrics normal pregnancy
present at 7–8 weeks
Henry Stanley
P Plummer's nail endocrinology thyrotoxicosis onycholysis especially of ring and little fingers
Plummer

P Pratt's sign Gerald H. Pratt internal medicine deep venous thrombosis pain elicited by compression of posterior calf

Queckenstedt's Hans Heinrich bilateral jugular vein pressure during lumbar

Q neurology spinal stenosis
maneuver Georg Queckenstedt puncture causes sudden rise in CSF pressure
Heinrich Irenaeus
Q Quincke's sign cardiology aortic insufficiency visible pulsation in ungual capillary bed
Quincke
Charcot's triad + hypotension and altered mental
R Reynolds' pentad B.M. Reynolds gastroenterology ascending cholangitis
state
R Riesman's sign David Riesman endocrinology thyrotoxicosis bruit over globe of the eye

[6] radiology, gas outlines both mucosal and serosal surfaces of

R Rigler's sign Leo George Rigler pneumoperitoneum
abdominal surgery bowel
comparison of air conduction to bone conduction
Heinrich Adolf ENT, neurology,
R Rinne test hearing impairment differentiates sensorineural from conductive
Rinne audiometry
deafness

R Romaña's sign Cecilio Romaña tropical medicine Chagas' disease painless unilateral periorbital swelling

Moritz Heinrich dorsal column lesions, cerebllar

R Romberg test neurology inability to maintain posture with eyes closed
Romberg lesions, alcohol intoxication
Warm, stiff feeling of skin when affected leg is
R Rose's sign ? vascular medicine deep vein thrombosis
pinched

R Rosenbach's test Ottomar Rosenbach clinical chemistry bilirubinuria colour produced on addition of nitric acid

tenderness in the right lower quadrant increases

R Rosenstein's sign Paul Rosenstein general surgery appendicitis when the patient moves from the supine position to
a recumbent posture on the left side

Grigory Ivanovich percussion of the tips of the toes causes

R Rossolimo's sign neurology pyramidal tract lesions
Rossolimo exaggerated flexion of the toes

ophthalmology, inte various, including SBE and retinal haemorrhages with pale centres seen at
R Roth's spots Moritz Roth
rnal medicine systemic vasculitides fundoscopy
Niels Thorkild
R Rovsing's sign general surgery appendicitis palpation of LLQ elicits pain in RLQ
Rovsing
Theodor Rumpel,
R Rumpel–Leede sign Carl Stockbridge haematology capillary fragility petechiae seen after compression by tourniquet
Leede
 scarring of the dorsum of one hand (contact with
R Russell's sign Gerald Russell psychiatry bulimia nervosa
incisors when purging)
deflection of retinal veins at right angle junctions
S Salus's sign Robert Salus ophthalmology hypertension due to elongation or shortening of connected
arterioles
squeezing the Achilles tendon elicits an extensor
S Schaeffer's sign Max Schaeffer neurology pyramidal tract lesions
plantar response
Schamroth's window pulmonology, cardi
S Leo Schamroth chronic hypoxia identifies clubbing of distal phalanges
test ology
affected areas of cervix fail to stain brown with
S Schiller's test Walter Schiller gynecology cervical cancer
iodine solution
pernicious anaemia, coeliac
S Schilling test Robert F. Schilling internal medicine disease, other malabsorption B12 radioassay; rare
disorders
keratoconjunctivitis sicca, as
S Schirmer's test Otto Schirmer ophthalmology quantifies lacrimal secretion
in Sjögren's syndrome
physiatry, various disorders of lumbar
S Schober test Paul Schober rheumatology, quantifies lumbar flexion
vertebrae
orthopaedics
area of hyperaesthesia over the right lower
S Sherren's triangle James Sherren surgery appendicitis
abdomen
supravalvular mitral ring, parachute deformity of
S Shone's complex John D. Shone cardiology congenital heart defect mitral valve, subaortic stenosis and coarctation of
the aorta

S Siegrist streaks August Siegrist ophthalmology malignant hypertension hyperpigmented sreaks parallel to choroidal vessels

Franklin Adin
S Simmonds' test orthopaedics Achilles tendon rupture squeezing of calf fails to produce plantar flexion
Simmonds
determination of sperm count and motility in a 
Harry M. Sims, reproductive
S Sims–Huhner test infertility sample taken from the cervical canal within an 
Max Huhner medicine
hour of intercourse
 Sister Mary Joseph Sister Mary Joseph
S Dempsey(born Julia oncology various abdominal malignancies palpable lymph node in the umbilicus
nodule[7]
Dempsey)
Roy Glenwood axial compression and rotation of cervical spine to
S Spurling's test neurology cervical radiculopathy
Spurling the side of symptoms causes pain
Karl Stellwag von infrequent and/or incomplete blinking,
S Stellwag's sign endocrinology thyrotoxicosis
Carion accompanied by Dalrymple's sign
Sir George paediatric subaortic stenosis, systolic ejection sound ; vibratory/musical; best
S Still's murmur
Frederick Still cardiology small Ventricular septal defect heard at left lower sternal border
sudden abduction and release of little toe causes
S Stransky's sign ? neurology pyramidal tract lesions
extensor plantar response
various, including ADHD and reaction times for incongruent stimuli (e.g., word
S Stroop test John Ridley Stroop neuropsychology
schizophrenia red printed in blue)

spastic pareses of the lower failure of abrupt passive flexion of the hip and/or
S Strümpell's sign Adolph Strümpell neurology
extremity knee to elicit dorsiflexion and adduction of foot

T Terry's nails R. Terry internal medicine various including hepatic failure white 'ground glass' nails;absence of lunula

Gap between the scaphoid and lunate bones on AP

T Terry Thomas sign Terry-Thomas Orthopaedics Scapho-lunate dissociation
wrist radiograph

Hugh Owen Supine patient flexes one hip whilst keeping other
T Thomas test Orthopaedics Fixed flexion deformity of hip
Thomas leg flat; back arches if flexion deformity is present

Throckmorton's Tom Bentley pressure over dorsal big toe MTP joint elicits an
T neurology pyramidal tract lesions
reflex Throckmorton extensor plantar response

T Tinel's sign Jules Tinel neurology neuritis, compression disorders 'DTP' – distal tingling on percussion

Robert Bentley focal weakness for as much as 48 hours after

T Todd's paresis neurology seizure disorders
Todd seizure
T Traube's sign Ludwig Traube various splenomegaly dull percussion sound over Traube's space

Friedrich inferior gluteal palsy, other

T Trendelenburg's sign neurology causes of hip abductors pelvic tilt contralateral to 'stance leg'
Trendelenburg
weakness
Charles Emile internal Various abdominal Enlargement of the left supraclavicular lymph
T Troisier's sign
Troisier medicine, oncology malignancies, node (=Virchow's node)
especially stomach cancer
Trousseau's sign of various malignancies, including spontaneous thrombosis of multiple veins,
T Armand Trousseau internal medicine
malignancy pancreatic including portal circulation
Trousseau's sign of internal in hypocalcaemia, occlusion of brachial artery
T Armand Trousseau medicine, endocrin hypocalcaemia
latent tetany induces carpal spasm
ology
Uhthoff's ↑ in neurological symptoms with exercise or other 
U Wilhelm Uhthoff neurology multiple sclerosis
phenomenon increase in body temperature
Siegfried patient walks in place with eyes closed;direction of
U Unterberger test neurology, ENT vestibular lesions
Unterberger rotation indicates vestibular lesion on that side

internal Various abdominal Enlargement of the left supraclavicular lymph

V Virchow's node Rudolf Virchow
medicine, oncology malignancies, node (=Troisier's sign)
especially stomach cancer
Hypercoagulability, Hemodynamic changes (stasis,
V Virchow's triad Rudolf Virchow hematology etiology of thrombosis
turbulence) and Endothelial injury/dysfunction

Von Braun- Karl von Braun- softening of the uterine fundus at the site of
V obstetrics pregnancy
Fernwald's sign Fernwald implantation at 4–5 weeks gestation
' lid lag'; immobility of upper lid on downward
V Von Graefe sign Albrecht von Graefe endocrinology Graves' disease
gaze
epilepsy, anatomical lesions of short acting barbiturate injected in internal carotid;
W Wada test Juhn Atsushi Wada neurology
cerebrum lateralizes language function
primary care,
W Waddell's signs G. Waddell chronic pain identify non-organic sources of low back pain
psychiatry
 child pedestrian stuck by motor Head trauma, thoracic and/or abdominal trauma,
W Waddell's triad J.P. Waddell paediatric trauma
vehicle femoral fracture
Watson's water bounding forceful pulse elicited with postural
W Thomas Watson cardiology aortic regurgitation
hammer pulse manoeuvres
Wellens' sign or
W Hein Wellens cardiology severe stenosis of LAD characteristic ekg changes
warning

W Westermark sign ? pulmonology pulmonary embolism Area of oligaemia on chest x-ray

1.symptoms associated with hypoglycaemia 2.

W Whipple's triad Allen Whipple endocrinology hypoglycemia measured low serum glucose 3. relief of symptoms
with administration of glucose p.o. or iv

Louis Frédéric
W Wickham's striae dermatology lichen planus white or greyish lines on the lichen planus lesions
Wickham
Georges-Fernand
W Widal test microbiology enteric fever serum agglutination; obsolete(?)
Widal
Thomas Masterman
W Winterbottom's sign tropical medicine trypanosomiasis posterior cervical chain adenopathy
Winterbottom

Sir John Parkinson,

Wolff–Parkinson–Wh
W Paul Dudley White, cardiology supraventricular tachycardia pre-excitation on ECG
ite triad

Louis Wolff

W Wright's maneuver ?

sacroiliac pain on rotation of ilium and extension

Y Yeoman's test ? rheumatology sacroiliitis
of hip
 anterior shoulder pain with resisted supination of
Y Yergason's test ? orthopedic surgery bicipital tendinitis
the forearm