What percussion note would you expect when examining the abdomen?

During abdominal examination, percussion is used to assess the presence of gas, fluid, or solid masses in the abdomen. General tympany is the expected percussion note in a normally functioning gastrointestinal tract because the air within the intestines resonates to produce a tympanic sound. This tympany reflects the presence of gas-filled structures, which is typical in a healthy abdomen where the presence of gas is common due to digestion and normal intestinal function.

In contrast, if dullness is noted, this might indicate the presence of fluid or solid masses in those areas, while hyperresonance might suggest the presence of excess gas or distension, which could be indicative of abnormal conditions. A flat sound during percussion is usually associated with areas over muscle or bone, rather than the abdomen. Therefore, general tympany is the correct expectation when percussing the abdomen in a healthy individual.