Throckmorton sign n. the angle of the penis (in an x-ray film), jocularly said to point toward the side of the body with a medical anomaly. Editorial Note: See the 2000 citation for a more elaborate form of the joke which purports to explain how the Throckmorton sign is accurate. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
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Throckmorton sign may also be found on CT scans, for which the patient almost always lies on his back. It probably occurs because a person in pain naturally “splints,” i.e., contorts his back or abdomen to reduce tension in an area of pain.
I HAVE SEEN THE TRUE THROCKMORTON AND IT IS AN IMPRESSIVE OCCURANCE.
I ALSO CONSIDER THE ANGLE OF THE DANGLE, BUT USUALLY ONLY WHEN IT IS COLD. lOUISE tHIBODEAU XRAY TECHNOLOGIST
“The angle of the dangle”???!!!
Too funny. I’m a trauma nurse and recently convinced two trauma/surgery residents that Throckmorton sign was totally legit. Then every trauma for months had a “positive Throckmorton” which only proved to reinforce the notion, and I was unable to convince them that it was just for fun. Now we keep a running tally in our trauma bays. It sounds pretty ridiculous I know, but it’s something we all kinda get a sick kick out of and it helps keep the mood light when things get sticky.