Dictionary definition of “Throckmorton sign”

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. Subjects: English, Body, Medical, Slang

Editorial Note: See the 2000 citation for a more elaborate form of the joke which purports to explain how the Throckmorton sign is accurate.

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Citations: 1996 [Nuhad Dinno] Usenet: sci.med.radiology (Feb. 2) “Re: Aunt Minnie”: It was probably the same irreverent individual who coined the “throckmorton sign” and the “Q sign.” 2000 [Steve Carder] Humor List (Dec. 21) “medical malarkey”: One of these medical “tidbits” is the infamous “Throckmorton sign” for hip X-rays. This sign, the student is told, means that the penis is always pointed towards the side with the problem. This is always discussed while looking over a series of X-rays and inevitably proves true. The students are impressed and a bit baffled. Eventually, they learn that X-ray techs always take the X-ray picture with the patient on his side with the problem hip down closest to the film. The area closest to the film is seen more clearly on X-ray, so you want that to be the problem side. Gravity does the rest. 2003 George Broughton Clinical Survival Guide for PA Students (Aug. 1) p. 264: John Thomas (JT): Position of the penis in relation to unilateral disease on routine x-ray. A positive sign is implied when the penis points to the side of the disorder. May also hear it called Throckmorton sign. 2005 Scott Nelson, Montri Wongworawat Tolerances: An Orthopaedic Reference Manual (Nov. 1) p. 39: Throckmorton sign: positive if angle of the dangle is > 0° pointing toward the lesion (male patients only)…If the angle of the dangle > 90° use extreme caution.

Posted 6 Feb 06 | Permalink | Tell a Friend

Reader comments:

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.

by Bartholomew Bono, M.D. 14 Feb 06, 0332 GMT

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

by LOUISE THIBODEAU 01 Feb 07, 0744 GMT

“The angle of the dangle”???!!!

by Trauma Girl 13 Sep 07, 0302 GMT

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.

by renee moberg 22 May 08, 0347 GMT