What clinical sign is a strong indicator of appendicitis?

McBurney's point tenderness is a significant clinical sign suggestive of appendicitis. This point is located in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen, approximately one-third of the distance from the anterior superior iliac spine to the umbilicus. Tenderness at this specific site can indicate inflammation of the appendix, as the anatomical position of the appendix aligns with this region.

In appendicitis, as the appendix becomes inflamed, it irritates the peritoneum, which results in localized pain that can be palpated at McBurney’s point. The presence of this tenderness, especially when combined with other clinical signs and symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and fever, can help clinicians establish a high index of suspicion for appendicitis.

In contrast, while other clinical signs such as the Heimlich maneuver, Murphy's sign, and bulge test are used in different contexts or for other diagnoses, they do not specifically indicate appendicitis. The Heimlich maneuver is related to choking, Murphy's sign is associated with gallbladder inflammation, and the bulge test is used to assess for hernias. Thus, McBurney's point tenderness stands out as the most reliable indicator for appendicitis.