What it means
A bruise-like color around the belly button, caused by blood tracking through the tissues from bleeding inside the abdomen or behind it. It is seen with severe acute pancreatitis and with a ruptured ectopic pregnancy, among other causes, and usually takes a day or more to appear. It is named after Thomas Cullen, the gynecologist who described it in 1916. Bruising of the flanks is the related Grey Turner signGRAY TER-ner SINEBluish or purplish bruising of the skin of the flanks, the sides of the body between the ribs and the hips.Full entry .
For the nurse
Report it right away along with vital signs, since it points to bleeding inside the body. Watch for signs of shock: a fast pulse, low blood pressure and cool, clammy skin.
Remember it
Cullen is central (around the navel); Grey Turner is at the sides (turn to see the flanks).
At a glance
| Also written | Cullen's sign, Cullen’s sign |
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Related terms
hemorrhage
A large loss of blood from a blood vessel, inside the body or out of it.
Grey Turner sign
Bluish or purplish bruising of the skin of the flanks, the sides of the body between the ribs and the hips.