Northern exposure sign (sigmoid volvulus)

Last revised by Ibrahim M. Jubarah on 19 Jan 2022

Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data

Citation:

Elgendy A, Jubarah I, Shah V, et al. Northern exposure sign (sigmoid volvulus). Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 11 Mar 2025) https://radiopaedia.org/articles/35066

DOI:

Permalink:

https://radiopaedia.org/articles/35066

rID:

35066

Article created:

20 Mar 2015, Azza Elgendy ◉

Disclosures:

At the time the article was created Azza Elgendy had no recorded disclosures.

View Azza Elgendy's current disclosures

Last revised:

19 Jan 2022, Ibrahim M. Jubarah

Disclosures:

At the time the article was last revised Ibrahim M. Jubarah had no recorded disclosures.

View Ibrahim M. Jubarah's current disclosures

Revisions:

5 times, by 5 contributors - see full revision history and disclosures

Systems:

Gastrointestinal

Sections:

Signs

Tags:

sigmoid volvulus

The northern exposure sign has been described as a high specificity sign in sigmoid volvulus. On a supine abdominal radiograph, the apex of the sigmoid volvulus is seen above (cranial to) the transverse colon.