Acute cholecystitis may present with referred pain to which area?

Acute cholecystitis may present with referred pain to which area?

• A. Shoulder
• B. Back
• C. Right shoulder blade
• D. Jaw

Answer: (D)

When a gallbladder problem irritates the diaphragmatic peritoneum, the pain is often felt in areas served by the same spinal segments as the phrenic nerve (C3–C5). This leads to referred pain in the shoulder and upper back regions. The classic site is the right shoulder or the right subscapular/back area. Jaw pain is not a typical referral pattern for gallbladder inflammation; it’s more commonly associated with cardiac issues or other causes. So, the gallbladder-related referred pain is usually in the right shoulder region (often the right scapular area), with the jaw being an uncommon and less expected site.

When a gallbladder problem irritates the diaphragmatic peritoneum, the pain is often felt in areas served by the same spinal segments as the phrenic nerve (C3–C5). This leads to referred pain in the shoulder and upper back regions. The classic site is the right shoulder or the right subscapular/back area. Jaw pain is not a typical referral pattern for gallbladder inflammation; it’s more commonly associated with cardiac issues or other causes. So, the gallbladder-related referred pain is usually in the right shoulder region (often the right scapular area), with the jaw being an uncommon and less expected site.