What finding is expected with a healthy spleen during a physical assessment?

In a physical assessment of a healthy spleen, the expected finding is that the spleen is not palpable. This means that under normal circumstances, a healthy spleen is located in the upper left quadrant of the abdomen and is typically too small to be felt during a standard examination.

If the spleen were to be palpable, it could indicate an enlargement (splenomegaly) which may occur due to various medical conditions such as infections, liver disease, or hematological disorders. An enlarged spleen could also present as tender, indicating possible pathology or inflammation. In contrast, a normal-sized, non-tender spleen that remains non-palpable would suggest that there is no underlying disorder affecting the spleen's size or functionality. Thus, the absence of palpability of the spleen in a healthy individual is a key sign of normal spleen health.