US Medical Term · symptoms
Tenderness
Sensibilidad al tacto
Also: Dolor a la palpación (regional variant)
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Tenderness |
| Spanish (Español) | Sensibilidad al tacto |
| Chinese (中文) | 觸痛 |
| Korean (한국어) | 압통 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Đau khi chạm vào |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Pagiging masakit sa pindutin |
| Portuguese (Português) | Dor à palpação |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | อาการเจ็บเมื่อสัมผัส |
| Japanese (日本語) | 圧痛 |
What it means
Tenderness is pain or discomfort that occurs when pressure is applied to a specific area of the body, even if the area does not hurt without being touched. It is a key finding during physical examinations and can indicate inflammation, injury, infection, or bruising in that area. Tenderness in the abdomen can point to organ problems like appendicitis. Tenderness in muscles or joints may suggest strain, arthritis, or bursitis. A provider will often press on different areas to locate tender spots and determine their cause. Describing where and how much it hurts when pressed helps guide diagnosis and treatment decisions.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
My abdomen is very tender on the lower right side when you press on it.
Mi abdomen es muy sensible en el lado inferior derecho cuando me lo presionan.
My shoulder is tender to the touch and swollen.
Mi hombro está sensible al tacto e hinchado.
The area around my knee is tender and bruised after I bumped it.
El área alrededor de mi rodilla está sensible y morada después de que me la golpeé.
Where you'll see it
Related terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026