Abdominal rigidity is stiffness of the muscles in the belly area, which can be felt when touched or pressed.
Alternative Names
Rigidity of the abdomen
Considerations
When there is a sore area inside the belly or abdomen, the pain will get worse when a hand presses against your belly area.
Your fear or nervousness about being touched (palpated) may cause this symptom, but there should be no pain.
If you have pain when you are touched and you tighten the muscles to guard against more pain, it is more likely caused by a physical condition inside your body. The condition may affect one or both sides of your body.
Abdominal rigidity may occur with:
Abdominal tenderness
Nausea
Pain
Swelling
Vomiting
Causes
Causes can include:
Abscess inside the abdomen
Appendicitis
Cholecystitis caused by gallstones
Hole that develops through the entire wall of the stomach, small intestine, large bowel, or gallbladder (gastrointestinal perforation)
Injury to the abdomen
Peritonitis