Murphy's sign acute cholecystitis

Murphy's sign. This is the sign of acute cholecystitis. Examination for Murphy's sign Ask the patient to take a deep breath in, gently palpate in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen, exactly at the tip of the 9th costal cartilage just below the liver edge. This deep inspiration causing the gallbladder to descend toward the examiner fingers. If the patient with acute cholecystitis, the patient feels sharp increased pain,on inspiration. He winced ,with a catch in his or her breath. This is refered to as Murphy's sign.