“An abdominal exam with the hands gives healthcare providers information about important parts of the body. These are the liver, spleen, kidneys, intestines, stomach, pancreas, bladder, gallbladder, appendix, and the abdominal aorta. This aorta is the main blood vessel from your heart to your legs. In women, the exam can also give information about the uterus and ovaries. When your healthcare provider presses on your belly, they are feeling to see if any of these organs are enlarged or painful.