ballottement

1. Maneuver used in physical examination to estimate the size of an organ not near the surface, particularly when there is ascites, by a flicking motion of the hand or fingers similar to that involved in dribbling a basketball. 2. An obsolete method of diagnosis of pregnancy : with the tip of the forefinger in the vagina, a sharp tap is made against the lower segment of the uterus; the fetus, if present, is tossed upward and (if the finger is retained in place) will be felt to strike against the wall of the uterus as it falls back. [Fr. balloter, to toss up]

- abdominal b. examination of the abdomen by palpation to detect excessive amounts of fluid (ascites) by causing organs to bob up and down in the fluid milieu.

- renal b. a maneuver in which the kidney is moved by pressure from behind, allowing it to be felt between the hands and its size, shape, and mobility determined.

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bal·lotte·ment bə-'lät-mənt n a sharp upward pushing against the uterine wall with a finger inserted into the vagina for diagnosing pregnancy by feeling the return impact of the displaced fetus also a similar procedure for detecting a floating kidney

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n.

the technique of examining a fluid-filled part of the body to detect a floating object. During pregnancy, a sharp tap with the fingers, applied to the uterus through the abdominal wall or the vagina, causes the fetus to move away and then return to impart an answering tap to the examiner's hand as it floats back to its original position. This confirms that swelling of the uterus is due to a fetus rather than a tumour or other abnormality.

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bal·lotte·ment (bə-lotґmənt) [Fr. “a tossing about”] 1. a palpatory maneuver to test for a floating object. 2. a maneuver used to monitor pregnancy by pushing on the cervix during vaginal examination, which may cause the floating fetus to rise and then rebound to its original position.