What is the term for pain elicited by releasing the hand from the abdomen?

The term for pain elicited by releasing pressure from the abdomen is known as rebound tenderness. This phenomenon typically indicates peritoneal irritation and can suggest conditions such as appendicitis or peritonitis. It occurs because the sudden release of pressure allows the inflamed tissues to rebound, often resulting in sharp pain that was not present while the pressure was applied.

Rovsing's sign pertains specifically to referred pain, typically indicative of appendicitis, when palpation of the left lower quadrant leads to pain in the right lower quadrant. Rigidity refers to the stiffness of the abdominal muscles upon palpation, often suggesting an underlying issue but does not specifically relate to the pain experienced during the release of pressure. Sciatica relates to pain stemming from the sciatic nerve and does not involve abdominal tenderness specifically. Therefore, rebound tenderness is the most precise term for the clinical scenario described.