Abdominal Rigidity
Alternate Names : Abdominal Guarding
Abdominal rigidity describes stiffness of the wall of the
abdomen.
What is going on in the body?
Abdominal rigidity is often caused by a spasm of the
abdominal wall muscles after an injury. It may also be a sign that the
person has swelling inside the abdominal cavity. Serious disease
inside the abdomen can also cause abdominal rigidity.
What are the causes and risks of the condition?
Rigidity may point to a local problem in the muscles.
Or it may relate to a deeper problem inside the abdomen. These are
causes of abdominal rigidity:
bleeding into the muscles of the abdominal wall
bowel or abdominal infection, such as diverticulitis
or appendicitis
an inflammation of the pancreas
injury or strain to the muscles of the abdominal wall
peritonitis, or an inflamed lining of the abdomen
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