| McBurney's point | |
|---|---|
 Location of McBurney's point (1), located two thirds the distance from theumbilicus (2) to the rightanterior superior iliac spine (3) | |
 Surface projections of the organs of thetrunk, with McBurney's point labeled with a red circle at bottom left at the inferior part of the cecum | |
| Identifiers | |
| FMA | 11362 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
McBurney's point is the point over the right side of theabdomen that is one-third of the distance from theanterior superior iliac spine to theumbilicus (navel). This is near the most common location of theappendix.
McBurney's point is located one third of the distance from the rightanterior superior iliac spine to theumbilicus (navel).[1][2] This point roughly corresponds to the most common location of the base of theappendix, where it is attached to thececum.[3]
Deeptenderness at McBurney's point, known asMcBurney's sign, is a sign ofacute appendicitis.[1][2][4] The clinical sign of referred pain in theepigastrium when pressure is applied is also known asAaron's sign. Specific localization of tenderness to McBurney's point indicates that inflammation is no longer limited to the lumen of the bowel (which localizes pain poorly), and is irritating the lining of theperitoneum at the place where the peritoneum comes into contact with the appendix.
Tenderness at McBurney's point suggests the evolution of acute appendicitis to a later stage, and thus, the increased likelihood of rupture. Other abdominal processes can also sometimes cause tenderness at McBurney's point.[5] Thus, this sign is highly useful but neither necessary nor sufficient to make a diagnosis of acute appendicitis.[5] The anatomical position of the appendix is highly variable (for example in retrocaecal appendix, an appendix behind thecaecum), which also limits the use of this sign, as many cases of appendicitis do not cause point tenderness at McBurney's point. For most openappendectomies (as opposed tolaparoscopic appendectomies), the incision is made at McBurney's point.[6]
Apseudoaneurysm in theaorta may be treatedsurgically, with an incision made between McBurney's point and the lowerintercostal spaces.[7]
McBurney's point may be a useful site for insertion of aperitoneal dialysiscatheter.[8]
McBurney's point is named afterAmericansurgeonCharles McBurney (1845–1913).[1][6] McBurney himself did not locate his point in a precise way in his original article.
The seat of greatest pain, determined by the pressure of one finger, has been very exactly between an inch and a half and two inches from the anterior spinous process of the ilium on a straight line drawn from that process to the umbilicus
— Charles McBurney, "Experience with Early Operative Interference in Cases of Disease of the Vermiform Appendix";New York Medical Journal, 1889, 50: 676–684 [pg 678].
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