Which of the Following is the Best Example of Referred

Question

Which of the following is the best example of referred pain?
A) A person has an abscessed tooth and is complaining of severe pain in the same jaw.
B) A person with a history of gallbladder disease eats a high-fat meal. She complains of midepigastric pain and pain beneath her right scapula.
C) A person stubs his right great toe and is observed hopping along on his left leg.
D) A football wide receiver pulls a hamstring and must be supported while walking off the field obviously favoring the affected leg.

Accepted Answer

Referred pain is pain that is felt in a location other than where the pain originates. In the case of the person with a history of gallbladder disease, the pain is felt in the midepigastric region (where the gallbladder is located) and beneath the right scapula (where the diaphragm and liver refer pain). The other options involve localized pain and do not fit the definition of referred pain.