Question

Describe referred pain and what potential ailment might a person have if they feel pain in the right upper shoulder region and lower thoracic?

Answer 1

REFERRED PAIN:

Visceral pain referred to somatic structures is called referred pain.

Usually, visceral pain is not referred to skin overlying viscera, but to those areas innervated by same dermatomes.

Referred pain is explained by theories like:

1) Dermatomal theory

2) Convergence theory

3) Facilitation theory

4) Experience theory

Referred pain in right upper shoulder region and lower thoracic indicates 'Acute Cholecystitis' due to gall stones which may/may not obstruct pancreatic duct, causing acute pancreatitis.