Beevor's sign is used to assess weakness of the abdominal musculature by monitoring movement of the umbilicus during a specific maneuver. Which observation constitutes a positive Beevor's sign?

• A. Umbilicus moves in a straight line
• B. Umbilicus moves diagonally
• C. Umbilicus does not move in a straight line
• D. Umbilicus moves in a curved path

Answer: (C)

Be level-headed in how the abdomen contracts during a resisted trunk flexion. When both the upper and lower portions of the rectus abdominis work together, the umbilicus should stay on a straight midline as you flex the trunk. If the lower abdominal muscles are weak, the upper rectus pulls more strongly, causing the umbilicus to move off the midline in a non-straight path. That non-linear movement is the Beevor’s sign. So, observing that the umbilicus does not move in a straight line during the maneuver constitutes a positive Beevor’s sign.