Which percussion note indicates air-filled structures in the abdomen?

The correct response is associated with tympany, which is the percussion note that indicates the presence of air-filled structures in the abdomen. Tympany produces a hollow, drum-like sound that is most commonly heard over areas filled with gas, such as the stomach and intestines. This is a crucial aspect of physical examination in assessing the abdomen, as recognizing tympany can help identify conditions like bowel obstruction or gastric distension.

In contrast, dullness typically occurs when percussing over solid organs, such as the liver or spleen, or areas containing fluid, where the sound is more muffled and short. Flatness represents a sound heard over very dense tissues, like muscle or bone, indicating a lack of air. Resonance, while it can indicate some degree of air or gas, is more commonly associated with healthy lung tissue rather than the abdominal context, where tympany is the hallmark of air-filled spaces. Understanding these distinctions is essential for effective abdominal assessment.