Lying supine
If you wish to palpate on the skin, provide a private room. Ask the patient if he/she is willing to uncover the abdominal area ñ removing the shirt for men and for women, either wearing a halter top or two piece bathing suit, etc. or rolling the shirt up to uncover the abdominal area. While the skin can not be viewed with clothes covering the area, the rectus abdominis muscle can be palpated over clothing.
Anterior to the patient.
(Guide the patient to drape appropriately.) Please lie on your back. May I touch your abdomen? (or point to the area). Please reach with your hands toward your knees or feet. (If needed, hold in this position while I try to push you back.)
Guide the patient to drape appropriately. Guide the patient to lie supine. With the patient relaxed and with permission, place your fingers on the right and left rectus abdominis muscle. Guide the patient to flex the trunk to about 45∞. Note if the umbilicus deviates, as this is an indication of muscle imbalance. With unclear muscle activity, increase the contraction of the rectus abdominis by asking the patient to:
ï flex the trunk to about 45∞and put his/her hands on the opposite shoulders
ï flex the trunk to about 45∞and put his/her hands behind the head
ï flex the trunk to about 45∞and put his/her hands on the opposite shoulders
ï flex the trunk to about 45∞and put his/her hands behind the head
VH - Spine skeleton with rectus abdominis
On the other side add rectus sheath, external and internal oblique abdominis muscles, transverses abdominis, inguinal ligament, intercostals, pectoralis major muscles and tendons