McBurney's point, used to localise tenderness in acute appendicitis, lies at which of the following surface landmarks?
- A Junction of the lateral third and medial two thirds of a line from the anterior superior iliac spine to the umbilicus ✓
- B Midpoint of a line joining the two anterior superior iliac spines
- C Junction of the medial third and lateral two thirds of a line from the pubic tubercle to the umbilicus
- D Point 2 cm below and lateral to the umbilicus in the midclavicular line
Correct answer: A. Junction of the lateral third and medial two thirds of a line from the anterior superior iliac spine to the umbilicus
Explanation
McBurney's point is defined as the junction of the lateral one third and medial two thirds of a line drawn from the right anterior superior iliac spine to the umbilicus, corresponding roughly to the base of the appendix where the teniae coli converge on the caecum. Option C reverses the proportions along the wrong reference line. The inter-ASIS line defines the transpyloric-adjacent surface markings and the spine of L4, not the appendiceal base.
Reference: Bailey and Love's Short Practice of Surgery, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.