Guarding, abdominal

Guarding, abdominal: Involuntary tensing of the abdominal wall muscles to guard inflamed organs within the abdomen from the pain of pressure. This is detected when the abdomen wall is pressed.

Guarding is a characteristic finding in the physical examination for a painful abdomen if there is inflammation of the inner abdominal (peritoneal) surface as for example from appendicitis or diverticulitis.