McBurney's point
Pronunciation: mick-BUR-neez
Anatomical landmark at one-third the distance from anterior superior iliac spine to umbilicus, traditional site for appendectomy incision.
Full Definition
A surface anatomy landmark located at the junction of the lateral third and medial two-thirds of a line drawn from the anterior superior iliac spine to the umbilicus. This point typically overlies the base of the appendix and has historically been the site for open appendectomy incisions. In laparoscopic surgery, this landmark helps guide port placement and identifies the likely location of the appendix during initial visualization. The point is named after surgeon Charles McBurney who described it in 1889.
Usage
Usage note: Named after Charles McBurney; capitalize when referring to the eponym.
In Context
- "Tenderness was noted at McBurney's point during the pre-operative examination." — clinical assessment
- "The laparoscopic camera was initially directed toward McBurney's point to locate the appendix." — operative report