Pain in the right shoulder is commonly associated with which condition?

Pain in the right shoulder is commonly associated with which condition?

• A. Cholecystitis
• B. Pancreatitis
• C. Appendicitis
• D. Gastritis

Answer: (A)

Pain in the right shoulder reflects referred pain from the diaphragmatic surface of the abdomen, most commonly due to gallbladder irritation in cholecystitis. When the gallbladder is inflamed, the diaphragmatic peritoneum is irritated and sends pain signals through the phrenic nerve (C3–C5). The brain then perceives these signals in the shoulder region, a classic pattern for biliary disease. That’s why right shoulder pain is commonly linked to cholecystitis. In comparison, pancreatitis typically causes upper abdominal or back pain, appendicitis starts as periumbilical pain moving to the right lower quadrant, and gastritis presents with epigastric discomfort—patterns that don’t usually present as referred right shoulder pain.

Pain in the right shoulder reflects referred pain from the diaphragmatic surface of the abdomen, most commonly due to gallbladder irritation in cholecystitis. When the gallbladder is inflamed, the diaphragmatic peritoneum is irritated and sends pain signals through the phrenic nerve (C3–C5). The brain then perceives these signals in the shoulder region, a classic pattern for biliary disease. That’s why right shoulder pain is commonly linked to cholecystitis.

In comparison, pancreatitis typically causes upper abdominal or back pain, appendicitis starts as periumbilical pain moving to the right lower quadrant, and gastritis presents with epigastric discomfort—patterns that don’t usually present as referred right shoulder pain.