Digital Rectal Examination

A physical examination in which the qualified health care worker inserts a lubricated, gloved finger of one hand into the RECTUM and may use the other hand to press on the lower ABDOMEN or pelvic area to palpate for abnormalities in the lower rectum, and nearby organs or tissues. The method is commonly used to check the lower rectum, the PROSTATE gland in men, and the UTERUS and OVARIES in women.

Year introduced: 2006

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Tree Number(s): E01.370.600.600.500

MeSH Unique ID: D051517

Entry Terms:

• Digital Rectal Examinations
• Examination, Digital Rectal
• Examinations, Digital Rectal
• Rectal Examination, Digital
• Rectal Examinations, Digital
• Rectal Palpation
• Palpation, Rectal
• Palpations, Rectal
• Rectal Palpations

Previous Indexing:

• Palpation (1965-2005)
• Rectum (1965-2005)

All MeSH Categories
Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment Category
Diagnosis
Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures
Physical Examination
Palpation
Digital Rectal Examination